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对巴特尔克里克教会的呼吁

1868年10月2日，我蒙指示看到了自称上帝子民之人的情况。他们中许多人处于极大的黑暗里，但他们似乎意识不到自己的真实状况。关于属灵和永恒的事，大批的人感觉似乎已经麻木，他们的心思似乎只对属世的利益感兴趣。许多人心中怀藏偶像，犯罪作孽，这使他们与上帝隔绝，并使他们成为黑暗的团体。我看到只有少数人站在光中，有辨识力和灵性，可以发现这些绊脚石，并把它们从路上挪去。那些在上帝圣工的中心身居要职的人睡着了。撒但麻痹了他们，好使他的计划和诡计不被察觉，与此同时，他在积极地布置网罗，施行欺骗和毁灭的工作。一些居于守望者岗位、要警告百姓提防危险的人已经停止守望，安逸地斜躺着。他们是不忠心的哨兵。他们长久怠惰，而他们那狡猾的仇敌却进入堡垒，在他们旁边成功地行事，拆毁上帝已命令要建立的。他们看到撒但正在欺骗没有经验的人和轻信的人;然而他们依然保持静默，似乎他们对此并无特别的兴趣，仿佛这些事与他们无关。他们觉察不到特别的危险;他们看不出有什么理由发出警报。对他们来说，似乎万事大吉，他们听到那简明的证言说要忠心地吹响警告的号角，向百姓说明他们的过犯，向以色列家说明他们的罪恶，可是他们却看不出有什么必要这样做。这些督责和警告打扰了这些昏昏欲睡、贪爱安逸的哨兵们的安宁，他们就不喜悦。他们即使口里没说，心里也在说：“这都是不必要的。这太苛刻、太严厉了。这些人不必要地打扰我们，刺激我们，似乎不愿使我们得到任何休息或安宁。‘你们擅自专权，全会众个个既是圣洁’(民16:3)。这些人不愿我们拥有任何舒适、平安或幸福。唯有积极地作工、辛劳和不断的警醒才会满足这些不讲道理的、难以合得来的守望者们。他们为什么不预言柔和的话，并且喊叫说：‘平安了，平安了’(参赛30:10;耶8:11)呢?那样就会万事大吉了。”{PH011 1.1}

这就是巴特尔克里克一大类人真实的感受。而撒但则因能够成功控制如此多自称基督徒之人的心思而欢喜雀跃。他欺骗了他们，麻痹了他们的感觉，将他罪恶的旗帜树立在他们中间，他们完全受骗，竟不知道那是撒但。百姓虽然没有树立雕刻的偶像，但他们的罪在上帝眼中却丝毫未减。他们崇拜玛门。他们贪爱属世的财利。一些人为要达到自己的目的，牺牲多少良心也在所不惜。自称是上帝子民的人自私自利，只顾自己。他们贪爱这个世界上的事，且与暗昧的作为为友。他们在不义中有乐趣。他们既不爱上帝，也不爱自己的邻舍。他们是拜偶像的人，他们在上帝眼中远比异教徒、比丝毫不知更好道路的偶像崇拜者们更恶劣。{PH011 2.1}

上帝要求跟从基督的人从世界出来，与世俗有别，不沾不洁净的物，才能承受应许，作至高者的儿女，王室的成员。但他们若不遵守这些条件，那应许就不会也无法实现在他们身上。自称信奉基督教在上帝看来算不得什么;只有真实、谦卑、乐意顺从祂要求的人，才被指定为祂的儿女，祂恩典的承受者，祂伟大救恩的享有者。这种人会很特殊，成了一台戏，给世人和天使观看。他们那特殊、圣洁的品格会被辨别出来，也会使他们与世界显然有别，与世界的情感和私欲显然有别。{PH011 3.1}

我看到在巴特尔克里克很少有人符合这种描述。他们对上帝的爱是在口头上，而不是在行为和真理上。他们的行动方针，他们的作为，证明他们不是光明之子，而是黑暗之子。他们的行为不是靠上帝而行，而是出于自私和不义。他们的心对上帝更新再造的恩典很陌生。他们没有经历那种改变人心的能力使他们照基督所行的去行。那些作为天上葡萄树的活枝子的人，会从葡萄树汲取汁液和营养。他们不会成为枯干、不结果子的枝子，而会显出生机和活力，且会生长茂盛，结果子荣耀上帝。他们会谨慎地离开一切不义，敬畏上帝，得以成圣。{PH011 4.1}

教会既离开亮光，忽视责任，滥用在品格上成为特殊圣洁的尊贵高尚特权，就像古时的以色列人一样羞辱了上帝。她的成员违背了要为上帝而活且单单为祂而活的约。他们已经与自私而爱世界的人合伙了。他们既怀存骄傲、爱宴乐和罪恶，基督就离开了。祂圣灵的感动已在教会中被消灭了。撒但与自称的基督徒们并肩同工;他们却那么缺乏属灵的辨识力，竟没有察觉他。他们没有工作的负担。他们自称信奉的严肃真理对他们来说并不真实。他们没有真正的信心。无论男女都会把自己实际具有的信心付诸行动。凭着他们的果子，就可以认出他们来。他们所结的果子，而不是他们的表白，说明他们是什么性质的树。许多人有敬虔的外貌，他们的名字也登记在教会的名册上;但他们在天上的记录却有污点。记录的天使已如实地记下了他们的行为。每一个自私的举动，每一句错误的言语，每一项未履行的责任，每一件隐秘的罪恶，连同每一个狡猾的掩饰，都被记录的天使按时间顺序如实地记录在天上的册子中。{PH011 4.2}

许多自称耶稣基督仆人的人决不是祂的仆人。他们是在欺骗自己的灵魂，以致自取灭亡。他们虽自称是耶稣基督的仆人，却不过顺从祂旨意的生活。“岂不晓得你们献上自己作奴仆，顺从谁，就作谁的奴仆吗?或作罪的奴仆，以至于死;或作顺命的奴仆，以至成义”(罗6:16)。许多人虽然自称是基督的仆人，却在顺从另一个主人，天天行事反对他们所自称要侍奉的主。“一个人不能侍奉两个主。不是恶这个爱那个，就是重这个轻那个。你们不能又侍奉上帝，又侍奉玛门”(太6:24)。{PH011 5.1}

属世和自私的利益占用了自称跟从上帝之人的心魂和力量。他们实际上是玛门的仆人。他们没有把世界连世界的邪情私欲同钉在十字架上的经验。在自称基督门徒的人中间只有少数人能用使徒保罗的话说：“我断不以别的夸口，只夸我们主耶稣基督的十字架。因这十字架，就我而论，世界已经钉在十字架上;就世界而论，我已经钉在十字架上”(加6:14)。“我已经与基督同钉十字架，现在活着的不再是我，乃是基督在我里面活着;并且我如今在肉身活着，是因信上帝的儿子而活，祂是爱我，为我舍己”(加2:20)。如果上帝子民的生活表现出甘心顺从和真实爱心的特色，他们的光就会以圣洁的光辉照耀世人。{PH011 6.1}

基督对祂门徒说的话原是向所有相信祂名的人说的：“你们是世上的盐。盐若失了味，怎能叫它再咸呢?以后无用，不过丢在外面，被人践踏了”(太5:13)。自称敬虔而无活泼的原则是完全没有价值的，就像盐失去了它保存的作用一样。一个没有原则的自称基督徒的人是一个笑柄，使人责备基督，羞辱祂的名。“你们是世上的光。城造在山上，是不能隐藏的。人点灯，不放在斗底下，是放在灯台上，就照亮一家的人。你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父”(太5:14-16)。{PH011 6.2}

上帝子民的好行为比言语有更强大的影响力。他们纯洁善良的生活和无私的行为使看到的人渴望得到同样的义，结出这么好的果子。他们被那种从上帝而来的能力吸引，因为这种能力竟能将自私的人改变成上帝的形像，于是上帝就受到了尊荣，祂的名就得了荣耀。但上帝的子民若受世界奴役，主的名就蒙羞，祂的圣工也受辱。他们既与世界为友，就与上帝为敌。他们得救主的唯一希望就是与世人分别，并且热心维护他们分别为圣的特性。唉，上帝的子民为何不愿遵守祂圣言中规定的条件呢?他们若愿如此行，就不会认识不到上帝白白赐给谦卑顺从之人的卓越福气。我看到巴特尔克里克教会大多数成员陷在可怕的黑暗中，便不胜惊讶。他们的盲目非常恐怖。{PH011 7.1}

他们因为非常缺乏真实的敬虔，以致成了黑暗与死亡的实体，而没有成为世上的光。许多自称爱上帝的人，却在行为上否认了祂。他们不爱祂，不侍奉祂，也不顺从祂。他们自己的私利才是最主要的。大批的人似乎都惊人地缺乏原则。他们受不献身的影响所左右，似乎自己没有根。我询问这些事是什么意思。为什么教会如此缺乏灵性，在虔诚的事上有活泼经验的人这么少?于是我蒙指示看到先知的话：“人子啊，这些人已将他们的假神接到心里，把陷于罪的绊脚石放在面前，我岂能丝毫被他们求问吗?所以你要告诉他们，主耶和华如此说：以色列家的人中，凡将他的假神接到心里，把陷于罪的绊脚石放在面前，又就了先知来的，我耶和华在他所求的事上，必按他众多的假神回答他，好在以色列家的心事上捉住他们，因为他们都藉着假神与我生疏”(结14:3-5)。{PH011 8.1}

上帝将祂子民处于退后状况显在我面前。他们没有单单注目上帝的荣耀。他们自己的荣耀才是显眼的。他们追求荣耀自己，可是却称自己是基督徒。圣洁的心和纯洁的生活乃是基督教训的伟大主题。祂在山上宝训中详细说明了必须做什么以便得福，和不可做什么之后，说：“所以，你们要完全，像你们的天父完全一样”(太5:48)。要完全，圣洁，任何不及于此的，都不会使他们成功地实行祂所赐给他们的原则。若没有这种圣洁，人心就是自私、有罪、邪恶的。圣洁会使拥有它的人多结果子，在一切善事上富足。他决不会在行善的事上厌倦，也不会在这个世界上寻求荣耀显达;而会期待在天上的至尊将成圣的人高举到自己宝座时得到提升。那时，王要对他们说：“你们这蒙我父赐福的，可来承受那创世以来为你们所预备的国”(太25:34)。主那时要数算他们所行的克己和仁慈、怜悯和公义。圣洁的心会产生正确的行为。正是缺乏灵性，缺乏圣洁，才导致不义的行为、猜忌、仇恨、嫉妒、恶意的猜测和所有可恨可憎的罪行。{PH011 8.2}

我已怀着敬畏上帝之心，努力将祂子民的危险和罪恶摆在他们面前;也已竭尽自己微薄的力量去唤醒他们。我已陈明了令人吃惊的事，他们若是信了这些事，原会使他们悲痛战兢，热心悔改自己的罪恶和罪孽。我已在他们面前陈明，根据我蒙指示所看到的，那些现在自称相信真理的人，只有少数的人会最终得救。不是因为上帝不能拯救，而是因为他们不愿按照上帝指定的方法得救。我们神圣的主所划定的道路太窄，门也太窄，不容他们紧抓着世界，怀存自私或任何一种罪恶。没有余地给这些东西;可是只有很少的人会同意放弃这些东西，以便通过窄路进入窄门。{PH011 10.1}

基督的话是清楚明白的：“你们要努力进窄门。我告诉你们：将来有许多人想要进去，却是不能”(路13:24)。并不是所有自称为基督徒的人心里都是基督徒。现在锡安中也有罪人，像在古时一样。以赛亚在提到上帝的大日时论到他们说：“锡安中的罪人都惧怕，不敬虔的人被战兢抓住：‘我们中间谁能与吞灭的火同住?我们中间谁能与永火同住呢?’行事公义，说话正直，憎恶欺压的财利，摆手不受贿赂，塞耳不听流血的话，闭眼不看邪恶事的，他必居高处;他的保障是磐石的坚垒，他的粮必不缺乏，他的水必不断绝”(赛33:14-16)。{PH011 10.2}

现在有那些假冒为善的人，他们若能看到自己的真实状况，就会战兢。在那不久就要临到我们的上帝的日子，他们自己的卑劣会吓到他们，那日“耶和华从祂的居所出来，要刑罚地上居民的罪孽”(赛26:21)。唉，巴不得他们现在就能恐惧，好使他们清楚地意识到自己的真实状况，趁还有怜悯和希望的时候醒悟过来，承认自己的罪，在上帝面前大大谦卑己心，上帝就必赦免他们的过犯，医治他们冷淡退后的罪病!上帝的子民还没有为那即将临头的可怕、试炼的场面作好预备，没有准备好洁然而立，远离这个堕落时代的危险和腐败中的罪恶和私欲。他们没有穿戴公义的盔甲，也没有准备好去和风行全地的罪孽作战。许多人没有遵行上帝的诫命，却说自己遵守了。他们若忠心遵守上帝一切的律例，原会拥有一种能力，使不信的人心悦诚服。{PH011 11.1}

我已力求尽职。我指出了一些人特别的罪恶。我蒙指示看到，上帝本着祂的智慧，无意使所有人的罪恶和错误都大白于天下。人人都会有足够的亮光看明自己的罪恶和错误，只要他们愿意这样做并且恳切愿望离弃罪恶，敬畏上帝，得以成圣。他们能看到上帝标明和督责了别人身上的什么罪恶。他们自己如果也怀有这些罪恶，就会知道这是上帝所憎恶的，且使他们与上帝隔绝;也会知道他们若不恳切热心地开始下工夫弃绝这些罪恶，就会被撇弃在黑暗里。上帝太纯洁，不看罪孽。一种罪在一个人身上在祂看来是严重的，在另一个人身上也是如此。公正的上帝对人人都不会有例外。在这些个人证言中提出了所有犯罪的人，尽管他们的名字可能没有附在所作的特别见证上;若有人因自己的名字没有被特别提到，便忽略和遮掩自己的罪恶，上帝必不使他们亨通。他们无法在神圣的生活上长进，反而会变得越来越黑暗，直到天上的光完全收回。{PH011 12.1}

那些自称虔诚，却没有因他们所表白的真理而成圣的人，不会在实质上改变他们明知上帝所憎恶的行径，因为他们不服从因自己的罪受到个别责备的考验。藉着给别人的证言，他们看到自己的情况被如实地指出了来，摆在自己面前。他们怀有同样的罪恶。他们既继续行恶，就在违背自己的良心，硬着心肠，也硬着颈项，就像那见证未曾直接作给他们一样。他们依然故我，不肯藉着谦卑地认罪悔改离弃自己的罪恶，就选择了自己的道路，并且沉迷于偏行己路，最终被撒但任意掳去。他们可能变得相当胆大妄为，因为他们有本事隐藏自己的罪不让别人知道，也因为上帝的审判没有以显著的方式临到他们身上。他们或许会在世上有表面上的繁荣昌盛。他们可能虽在自己的罪中，却欺骗可怜的、眼光短浅的人，被人当成敬虔的模范。但上帝无法受骗。“因为断定罪名，不立刻施刑，所以世人满心作恶。罪人虽然作恶百次，倒享长久的年日。然而我准知道，敬畏上帝的，就是在祂面前敬畏的人，终久必得福乐。恶人却不得福乐，也不得长久的年日;这年日好像影儿，因他不敬畏上帝”(传8:11-13)。虽然一个罪人的寿命或许能够在今生得以延长，但在将来更新再造的天地里，却没有他。他要被列在大卫在他的诗篇中提到的那些等人中：“还有片时，恶人要归于无有。你就是细察他的住处，也要归于无有。但谦卑人必承受地土”(诗37:10-11)。{PH011 12.2}

慈爱和诚实是应许给谦卑忍耐之人的，而审判则是为有罪悖逆之人预备的。“公义和公平是祢宝座的根基”(诗89:14)。一班邪恶淫乱的人决不能逃脱他们应得的上帝的愤怒和刑罚。人类已经堕落;要花一生的工夫从那次的堕落得到恢复，无论这一生是长是短，且要藉着基督恢复神圣的形像，就是人因罪恶和继续犯罪而丧失的形像。上帝要求人的魂、身子和灵有彻底的改变，以便恢复通过亚当所丧失的地位。主仁慈的发出亮光给人，显明人的真实状况。人若不愿行在光中，就表明自己喜爱黑暗。他不愿来就光，恐怕自己的行为受责备。{PH011 14.1}

N.富勒的情况使我的心灵非常痛苦忧伤。因为他任由自己受撒但控制去行恶，所行的甚是可怕。我相信上帝定意要使这个假冒为善、道德败坏之人的罪恶暴露于光天化日之下，好使别人受到警告。这个人熟悉圣经的教训，也曾当面听过我对他惯行的罪恶作的见证。他不止一次当面听我断然说到这世代流行的罪恶——腐败的事充斥各地，男男女女普遍受低级情欲的管辖，这众多罪行中最为暗昧的行为人们一行再行，散发发他们自己腐败的臭气。有名无实的各教会充斥着淫乱和通奸，犯罪和谋杀，这些都是低级的私欲带来的结果。但是这些事一直被遮掩着。身居高位的传道人也犯罪作孽，但他们身上仍然披着虔诚的外袍，掩盖着他们黑暗的行为。他们年复一年地继续自己假冒为善的行为。有名无实的各教会已经罪恶滔天，上帝会使心中诚实的人得到亮光，从这些教会中出来。{PH011 14.2}

从上帝赐我的亮光来看，第一日复临信徒中很多人认为淫乱和通奸是上帝假装看不见的罪。这些罪恶盛行到了很大的程度。他们不承认上帝的律法对他们的要求。他们违背了伟大的耶和华的诫命，还热切地教导他们的听众也如此行，宣称上帝的律法已经作废，对他们再无要求。根据这种放肆的局面，罪就显得不那么穷凶极恶了;“因为律法本是叫人知罪”(罗3:20)。我们可以料到会在这群人中发现欺骗、说谎、以及放纵肉欲的事。但是那些承认十诫仍具约束力的男男女女，那些遵守十诫之第四条诫命的人，应当在自己的生活中，将那自西奈山在庄严可畏的情景中颁布之十诫的原则实行出来。{PH011 15.1}

自称期待和爱慕基督显现的安息日复临信徒，不应随从世人的做法。属世的方针不是守诫命之人的标准。他们也不应效法第一日复临信徒，后者将上帝的律法践踏在脚下，不肯承认上帝律法的要求。这等人不应成为他们的标准。守诫命的复临信徒居于一个特殊的、尊贵的位置。约翰在神圣的异象中看到了他们，并且如此描述他们：“他们是守上帝诫命、为耶稣作见证的”(启12:17)。{PH011 16.1}

耶和华与古时的以色列人立了一个特别的约，条件是他们要证明是忠诚的：“如今你们若实在听从我的话，遵守我的约，就要在万民中作属我的子民;因为全地都是我的。你们要归我作祭司的国度，为圣洁的国民”(出19:5-6)。祂对末后守祂诫命的百姓这样说：“惟有你们是被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属上帝的子民，要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗、入奇妙光明者的美德”(彼前2:9)。“亲爱的弟兄啊，你们是客旅，是寄居的。我劝你们要禁戒肉体的私欲，这私欲是与灵魂争战的”(彼前2:11)。{PH011 16.2}

并非所有自称遵守上帝诫命的人，都保守他们的身体圣洁尊贵。人类有史以来最严肃的信息已委托给这班人，他们若因这信息成圣，就能拥有一种强大的影响力。他们自称是站在永恒真理的高尚平台上，遵守上帝的全部诫命;所以，他们沉湎于罪恶，犯奸淫和通奸，他们的罪就比我已提到的那几等人重十倍，后者不承认上帝的律法对他们有约束力。那些自称遵守上帝律法的人若违背上帝的律法，就在一种特殊的意义上羞辱了上帝，且使真理蒙羞受辱。{PH011 17.1}

奸淫这种罪在古时的以色列中普遍流行，招致了上帝明显的不悦。于是祂的审判紧随着他们可憎的罪恶临到，数千的人仆倒，他们污秽的尸体被撇弃在旷野。“但他们中间，多半是上帝不喜欢的人，所以在旷野倒毙。这些事都是我们的鉴戒，叫我们不要贪恋恶事，像他们那样贪恋的;也不要拜偶像，像他们有人拜的。如经上所记：‘百姓坐下吃喝，起来玩耍。’我们也不要行奸淫，像他们有人行的，一天就倒毙了二万三千人;也不要试探主，像他们有人试探的，就被蛇所灭;你们也不要发怨言，像他们有发怨言的，就被灭命的所灭。他们遭遇这些事都要作为鉴戒，并且写在经上，正是警戒我们这末世的人。所以，自己以为站得稳的，须要谨慎，免得跌倒”(林前10:5-12)。{PH011 17.2}

安息日复临信徒比起世界上所有其他的人，更应在内心和言谈上作虔诚圣洁的榜样。我曾经当N.富勒弟兄的面说过，上帝所特选属祂的子民，奉命成为高尚，文雅，及圣洁的，既脱离世上从情欲来的败坏，就得与上帝的性情有分。他们既有了这样高尚的信仰，若仍放纵罪恶及不义，他们的罪过在祂眼中就大极了。主责备一个人的罪，好使别人有所警戒和畏惧。行非作错的人之所以受到警告、纠正和责备，并不是因为他们的生活比有名无实的各教会中自称为基督徒之人的生活更该受责备，也不是因为他们的榜样和行为比那些不愿顺从上帝律法要求的其他复临派信徒的行为更坏，而是因为他们拥有大光，并照他们所宣称的、处于上帝特选子民的地位，有上帝的律法写在他们心上。他们藉着顺从上帝政权的律法，表明自己效忠于天上的上帝。他们是上帝在地上的代表。任何使他们与上帝隔绝的罪恶，都以一种特别的方式羞辱祂的名，使祂圣洁律法的敌人们有机会指摘祂的圣工和祂的子民，就是祂所召为“是被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属上帝的子民，要叫他们宣扬那召他们出黑暗而入奇妙光明者的美德”的人们(彼前2:9)。{PH011 18.1}

那些敌对伟大耶和华之律法的人，他们即使在言语，著作，及行为上用最残酷可憎的事物表现对律法的轻视，仍可能高谈上帝的爱，似乎是有极大的宗教热心，正如昔日犹太的祭司长与长老们一样。然而在上帝的大日，天上的大君却要说他们是“显出亏欠”的。“因为律法本是叫人知罪”(罗3:20)。这面镜子要照出他们品格上的瑕疵，他们因律法指出自己的罪恶，便暴怒而攻击之。有些拒绝真光的复临派领袖，狂热攻击上帝的神圣律法，正如犹太全国拒绝上帝的儿子一样。他们陷于可怕的迷途，欺人而又自欺。他们不愿来就光，恐怕他们的行为受责备。这样的人不愿受教。但主责备和纠正凡自称遵守祂律法的人。祂指出他们的罪，揭露他们的不义，因祂想要他们离弃一切的罪恶，以致敬畏上帝，得以成圣，且预备妥当，或在主内安眠，或等待变化升天。上帝责备，申斥，矫正他们，使他们可以文雅，圣洁，高尚，而最后被提升到祂的宝座前。{PH011 19.1}

富勒长老曾听过我公开作的见证——自称是上帝子民的人并非全都圣洁，他们中有些人是腐败堕落的。上帝努力提拔他们，但他们却拒绝达到高尚的行为标准。腐败的兽性情欲占了上风，道德和理智的力量被压制，成了肉体情欲的奴隶。那些不控制自己低级情欲的人，必不能赏识赎罪，无法正确估计一个生灵的价值。他们并没有经验或明白救恩。他们生活的最高追求，便是满足兽性的情欲。上帝所悦纳的唯有纯正与圣洁;品格上的一个污点，一道皱纹，一点瑕疵，都必永远阻止他们得到天国及其一切的荣耀与财富。{PH011 20.1}

凡诚心实意、深思熟虑、本着敬畏上帝的心，着手开始成圣之工的人，上帝已经为他们作了充足的预备。能力、恩典和荣耀早已藉着基督预备妥当，要由服役的天使带给将要承受救恩的人。人只要肯抛弃罪恶，止住罪孽，而且全心全意转向永生的上帝，就决不至因为过于卑贱、过于腐败邪恶而无法在为他们受死的耶稣里寻得力量、洁净和公义。祂正在等候着要脱去他们那被罪恶沾染玷污的衣服，给他们穿上洁白光明的义袍;祂也叮嘱他们要存活，不要死亡，他们在祂里面可以发旺。他们的枝条必不枯干，反要结实。他们若住在祂里面，就能从祂汲取汁液与滋养，为祂的圣灵所充满，像祂一样行事为人，像祂一样得胜，并且要被高举到祂右边。{PH011 21.1}

富勒长老受到过警告。那给别人的警告也是谴责他的。责备别人的罪，也是在责备他，且有足够的亮光赐给他，使他看明上帝多么厌恶他所犯的那种性质的罪，但他却不愿转离自己的恶行。他继续从事这种可怕的邪恶行为，败坏他群羊的身体和灵魂。他既不制服自己的肉欲，撒但就使其更为增强，利用它们从事他引人灭亡的工作。他虽自称遵守上帝的律法，却以最为放荡的方式违背着上帝律法明确的训令。他已舍身满足肉欲的快乐。他已卖了自己去行恶。这种人的工价会是什么呢?上帝的愤怒必要因罪刑罚他。所有那些以圣职外衣掩盖淫荡情欲的人，都要激起上帝的报应。他虽自称是群羊的牧者，却在领他们走向必定的灭亡。这些可怕的结果都是属肉体的心结出的果子，这种心“是与上帝为仇，因为不服上帝的律法，也是不能服”(罗8:7)。{PH011 22.1}

我蒙指示看到这段经文：“所以，不要容罪在你们必死的身上作王，使你们顺从身子的私欲。也不要将你们的肢体献给罪作不义的器具;倒要像从死里复活的人，将自己献给上帝，并将肢体作义的器具献给上帝”(罗6:12-13)。自称是基督徒的人啊，如果你们容让自己受低级的情欲控制，即使你们没有得到比这篇证言中所给你们的更多的亮光，你们也会无可推诿。{PH011 23.1}

上帝的话足以启迪最受蒙蔽的心智，也能被那些一点儿不想了解它的人理解。尽管如此，有些自称研究圣经的人，其生活却直接违背圣经最简明的教训。因此，为了使男男女女无可推诿，上帝便赐下简明率直的证言，把他们带回到他们所忽略遵行的圣经。可是那些侍奉自己私欲的人却转离了这一切的亮光。他们不愿停止自己的罪恶行为，反倒面对上帝对那些行这种事的人所发的警告和报应，继续乐行不义。{PH011 23.2}

我久已打算对我的姐妹们讲话，要告诉她们：根据主所乐意时时指示我看到的，她们中间有一种极大的错误。她们没有小心地禁戒一切的恶事。她们没有都谨慎自己的行为，与自称敬虔的女子相称。她们也不像领受上帝恩惠的妇女所应该的那样谨慎择言。她们与弟兄们过分亲密，流连于他们周围，倾身于他们，似乎要选择与他们作伴。她们对他们的关注感到非常满足。{PH011 23.3}

按照主所赐给我的亮光，我们的姐妹应当采取一种完全不同的做法。她们应当更加矜持，不过于大胆，以“廉耻自守”自勉。弟兄姐妹在一起的时候，彼此太耽于欢叙。自命敬虔的妇女竟纵情于戏谑、玩笑与可笑的事。这是不相宜的，且使上帝的灵担扰。这些表现暴露出缺乏真基督徒的优雅。这些举动不能使心灵在上帝里面坚强，反会带来极大的黑暗;它们赶走纯洁高雅的天上使者，使那些参加这些不道德行为的人堕落到低劣的水平。{PH011 24.1}

我们的姐妹们应当鼓励真正的温柔;她们不应卤莽，多言，胆大妄为，而应端庄谦逊，言语和缓。她们可以心存礼貌谦恭。要仁慈、温柔、同情、宽恕而且谦卑，才会相宜且很讨上帝喜悦。她们若常居此位，就必不致被会内会外的男士们过分的关心所累了。众人都必觉得在这班敬畏上帝的妇女四周有一种纯洁的神圣氛围环护着，使她们免受任何不正当的狎昵行为所侵扰。有一班自命敬虔的妇女，竟带有轻率粗野的放肆态度，因而导致了罪恶与邪行。{PH011 24.2}

但那些敬虔的女子，其心思意念尽是默想会使生活更纯洁，提拔心灵与上帝交通的题旨，就不会轻易受引诱而远离妇德与正道。这等人的心志必得以坚固，不为撒但的诡辩所惑;她们也必准备好抵挡他诱人的伎俩。{PH011 25.1}

虚荣自负、世界的时尚、眼目的情欲、肉体的情欲，都与不幸的堕落有关。那使本心和体贴肉体的心喜悦的东西受人珍爱。他们若从心中根除了肉体的情欲，就不会这么软弱了。我们的姐妹如果感到有洁净自己思想的必要，并且决不容自己有导致不当行为的轻率举动，就一点不必玷污她们的纯洁了。她们若是像上帝启示我的那样看到了实情，就会极其憎恶不洁的行为，以致不会列身于那些因撒但的试探而跌倒的人中间，无论撒但选择谁为媒介。{PH011 25.2}

一个传道人可能虽然处理圣事，可是心却不圣洁。他可能将自己交给撒但去行邪恶的事，败坏他群羊的灵魂和肉体。然而自称热爱并敬畏上帝的妇女和青年女子的心智若被祂的灵加强，她们若曾训练自己的心思想纯洁，教育自己禁戒一切的恶事，就会免遭任何不当求爱之害，得到保护脱离她们周围流行的败坏。使徒保罗论到自己说：“我是攻克己身，叫身服我，恐怕我传福音给别人，自己反被弃绝了”(林前9:27)。{PH011 25.3}

如果一个传福音的人不能约束自己低级的情欲，如果他没能效法使徒的榜样，竟羞辱自己的职业和信仰，甚至敢提放纵罪恶的事，那么我们自称敬虔的姐妹们就切不可有片刻的自庆之心，以为她们的传道人既敢放纵邪行，则罪恶与不法之事也就因而减少其可憎性了。事实上，身负重责的人虽显明他们对于罪恶已习以为常，也不该使任何人心中减轻罪辜和罪的严重性。罪恶仍当和以前被视为的一样的显为有罪，显为可憎;而心意纯洁高尚的人，当痛恨并远离放纵罪恶之徒，犹如逃避咬人致死的毒蛇一般。{PH011 26.1}

姐妹们若是高尚的且保持心地纯洁，则任何邪行妄念，即使是出自她们的传道人的，也会毫不犹豫地坚决拒绝。人若因为发出引诱声音的是传道人，便听从引诱，因而违背上帝明确的命令还自以为没有犯罪，心思就必被撒但可怕地迷惑。我们岂没有听到约翰的话吗：“人若说‘我认识祂’，却不遵守祂的诫命，便是说谎话的，真理也不在他心里了”(约壹2:4)。律法怎么说呢?“不可奸淫。” 一个男人若自称遵守上帝圣洁的律法，并且担负圣职，却利用人们对他职位的信任，谋求放纵自己卑鄙的情欲，这一事实本身就足以使一个自称敬虔的女子看明，虽然他的信仰表白高及诸天，出自他的一个不洁的建议却来自假扮成光明使者的撒但。那些这么容易受控制并将自己的清白和贞操牺牲在肉体情欲之坛上的人，我无法相信上帝的圣言住在他们心中。{PH011 26.2}

我的姐妹们啊，要禁戒一切的恶事。在这个因腐败而臭气熏天的放荡时代，你们若不谨慎自守，就不安全。端庄及贞操是罕见的。我呼吁你们身为耶稣基督门徒的人，既作出高尚的表白，就应以无价的端庄为珍宝。这会保卫贞操。你们若希望最终被高举，加入纯洁无罪天使的行列，生活在没有一点儿罪污的氛围中，就要珍爱端庄和贞操。纯洁，只有庄严的纯洁才经得起重大的审查，在上帝的大日站立得住，并被接进纯净圣洁的天庭。{PH011 27.1}

无论多么隐微的暗示，不问它是从哪一方面来的，若是引诱你放纵罪恶，或容许些微不正当的亲狎行为，都当视之为有辱你高贵的女性尊严而予以坚决拒绝。在不合适的时间和地点吻你的面颊，应当令你生出憎厌之心而拒斥这撒但的密使。这事若出于身居高位、担负圣职的人，则罪恶的严重性更比常人高过十倍，应该使敬畏上帝的妇女或青年女子惊恐地退避三舍，不仅厌恶他所要诱你去犯的罪，也唾弃这被众人当作上帝仆人、而加以尊敬并推崇之人的伪善与丑恶。这样的人虽身居圣职，却在传道人的外袍下掩盖着他内心的卑劣。要害怕任何这种亲密随便的行为。确信任何稍微接近这种行为的表现都证明是出自淫荡的心和好色的眼。若在这方面给出丝毫的鼓励，若是所提到的任何放肆的行为得到容忍，都证明你们的心不像应该的那样纯净贞洁，罪恶和犯罪行为对你们具有吸引力。你们降低了自己高贵贞洁的妇德标准，且给出明白的证据表明你们心中仍容许低劣、兽性、庸俗的情欲和私欲存活着，从未将其钉死在十字架上。{PH011 28.1}

我既蒙指示看到那些自称相信更美之事的人中间存在的罪恶和危险，而人们没有想到他们有犯这些污秽罪恶的危险，便不由问道：主啊，当祢显现的时候，谁能站立得住呢?只有那些手洁心清的人才能在祂降临的日子站立得住。{PH011 28.2}

我感到主的灵催促我，让我敦促自称敬虔的姐妹们珍重举止的端庄与合宜的矜持，廉耻自守。这个腐败世代中人们所接受的放肆随便，不应作为跟从基督之人的标准。这些流行的亲密表现，不应存在于预备承受永生的基督徒之间。倘若时下放纵情欲、不洁、奸淫、不法，以及凶杀等，乃是那些不认识真理，拒绝受上帝圣言的原则所约束之人中司空见惯的事，那么，凡自称跟从基督，与上帝和天使具有亲密联合的人，就当向他们显示出一条更美善，更高尚的大道来，该是何等重要的事啊!藉着自己的贞洁和德操，与放纵兽欲之辈作显著的对比，又是何等重要的事啊!{PH011 29.1}

我问过：年轻姐妹们的行为何时才会适当得体呢?我知道不会有明确的改善，除非父母们意识到在正确教育他们儿女时更加谨慎的重要性。要教导他们行动做派端庄谨慎。训练他们成为有用之人，去帮助别人，照顾别人，而不是受别人的伺候和服侍。{PH011 29.2}

一般而言，撒但控制着青年人的思想。你们的女儿们并未受教养成克己自制的习惯。她们受宠爱，心骄气傲。你们容许她们自行其事，直到她们变得顽梗悖逆，刚愎自负，而你们无计可施，一筹莫展，不知该如何拯救她们脱离灭亡。因为她们胆大妄为，缺少女性的端庄与贞洁，于是撒但使她们成了不信之人口中的笑柄。你们的儿子也被撇下去偏行己路。他们还没有进入青春期，便开始陪伴同龄的小女孩回家，并与之谈情说爱了。因为父母从小娇惯溺爱他们的儿女，以致他们不敢采取坚决手段改正儿女的错误行为，并在这个放荡的世代中约束他们发育过快的儿女。{PH011 30.1}

在巴特尔克里克这种情况尤为显著。已经把他们所照顾的孩子送到那里去上学，以为别人会尽他们所忽视了的本分的父母们是犯了一个大错误。在巴特尔克里克有些男孩和女孩随时准备抓住新来的人并介绍他们参与他们轻浮的娱乐和运动。他们自称是基督徒。他们有时还在聚会上发言，而这使他们对陌生人有影响力。可是他们中的许多人却在上帝的事上没有经验，他们的信仰表白并不使他们比不信的人更好，因为他们并不过基督徒的生活。他们并不舍己，藉着约束自己的欲望来背十字架。他们的谈吐并不谦卑;不是属天的。{PH011 30.2}

许多姑娘谈论的主题是小伙子，小伙子谈论的主题是姑娘。“心里所充满的，口里就说出来”(太12:34)。他们心里主要思想什么，他们谈论的话题就是什么。记录的天使正在记下这些自称是基督徒的小伙和姑娘的话语。他们在上帝的大日再次见到自己的人生记录时，将会多么抱愧蒙羞啊!许多青少年是十足的伪善者。那些未公开接受信仰的青年，被这些假冒为善的人绊倒，任凭别人为他们的得救作多少努力，也无济于事了。{PH011 31.1}

父母们哪，你们不应该把你们的孩子送到巴特尔克里克去。在巴特尔克里克本应该有一种强大的为善影响力;然而那里却极其迫切地需要愿意关心人们灵魂的以色列父母。许多人已经来到巴特尔克里克，他们灵里温柔，容易受上帝的灵影响，可是却没有一个人对这些灵魂有作工的负担，而当他们离开这个地方时，他们确实可以说：没有人关心我的灵魂。自私的利益已经成了首要的。没有感觉到个人的努力和责任。在上帝的天意安排下，人们被丢进教会的怀抱，教会却被撇下成了灵魂吞噬者的掠物。这些好逸恶劳、懒惰迟钝、漠不关心的人在算账的日子将不得不交怎样的账啊!{PH011 31.2}

圣工中心地区的人应当是经过挑选的，他们应在任何紧急情况之下，都可信赖，能坚守岗位。他们应当大公无私，慷慨宽宏，在好事上富足，他们的生命藏在上帝里面，他们认为更美的生命其价值远胜于饮食和衣服。“生命不胜于饮食吗?身体不胜于衣裳吗”(太6:25)?上帝就在工作的中心呼召忠心的哨兵，他们要热爱那些基督为之牺牲的生灵，愿意为将亡的生灵背负重担，盼望得到将来的赏赐，那时他们要进来享受他们主人的快乐，且会看到通过他们而得救的人得享像上帝那样长久的生命，在祂荣耀的国中永远幸福地生活。但愿我们能唤醒父母们认识到他们的责任!但愿他们深感落在他们身上之责任的分量!那样他们就能阻止仇敌并为耶稣获得宝贵的胜利。父母们在这事上并不是没有罪的。他们应当仔细省察他们的生活，分析他们的思想和动机，看看他们的行为举止是否审慎。他们应当密切注意，看自己言行的榜样是不是希望儿女效法的。他们在儿女面前，应当在自己的言行上表现出纯洁和美德来。{PH011 32.1}

我蒙启示看到有些家庭中为夫为父的人并未维持合乎基督徒身份的那种矜持，那种高贵神圣的男子气概。他并没有向他的妻子——就是他已在上帝和众天使面前许下誓愿，在他们二人有生之日要加以亲爱，恭敬，并尊重的那一位——作出仁慈、亲切和有礼的行动。家中所雇用的女佣竟随便冒昧地替男主人梳理头发，表现出亲昵的关切，他却愚昧地沾沾自喜。他给予自己妻子的爱与关切，已不如往日那样明显。无疑撒但也在从中活动。你当尊重你家中的雇工，仁慈而体谅地对待她们，但不能越过应有的界限。当谨慎自己的行为，以免与她们有越礼的亲昵表现。你若有仁慈的言语和谦恭的行为要给人，把它们给你的妻子始终是安全的。这会成为她的一大福气，也会给她的心带来幸福快乐，再反馈给你。我还蒙指示看到，作妻子的向别的男人表示她们的同情、兴趣和情意，这些人或许是家族里的人。她将这些异性当作知己，向他们倾吐自己的烦恼，甚至自己私人家庭的事，更喜欢和他们交往。{PH011 33.1}

这是完全错误的。唆使人做出这种行为的是撒但;你若不感到惊恐并且就此止步，他就会引你走向灭亡。你在这事上再怎么谨慎、保守都不过分。你若有温柔、亲爱的话语和体贴的殷勤要给人，就把它们给你已在上帝和天使面前承诺要在你们二人有生之年去敬爱和尊重的丈夫吧。唉，多少人的生活因拆毁了保护每一家庭隐私的围墙而变得痛苦不堪啊!这围墙是用以维持家庭的纯正与圣洁的!若有第三者介入博得了妻子的信任，她便将家庭隐私敞露于挚友之前。这乃是撒但的诡计，藉以离间夫妻的心。但愿这样的事早日停止!就会免除多少烦恼的事啊!你们务要将所知彼此的过错深锁于自己的心内。只把你们的烦恼告诉上帝。祂能给你们正确的意见和可靠的安慰，必是纯净而毫无痛苦的。{PH011 34.1}

我熟悉许多姐妹，她们认为自己的婚姻是一件不幸的事。她们阅读小说，直到想象力变成病态，她们便生活在虚构的世界里。她们以为自己心思灵敏，优雅出众，却以为自己的丈夫不那么优雅，不具备这些出众的品质，所以不能赏识她们自以为拥有的美德和优雅的气质。因而这些女人就认为自己遭受了极大的苦楚，是受难者。她们谈论这事，思想这事，直到她们在这个问题上变得几乎癫狂了。她们以为自己高人一等，自觉优雅，不愿与平凡的人交往。这些女子正在使自己成为愚昧人;她们的丈夫也有危险以为她们的心智真的高人一等。{PH011 35.1}

从主给我的启示看，这等女子已因阅读小说、白日做梦、想入非非，生活在虚构的世界里而败坏了自己的想象力。她们不愿静下心来去思考寻常有益的人生责任。她们不负起自己应负的生活担子，力求为自己的丈夫营造一个幸福快乐的家。她们完全依赖自己的丈夫，一点不担自己的担子。她们希望别人能预先想到她们的需要并为她们服务，她们自己却任意挑剔置疑。这等女子有相思成疾，多愁善感，总是觉得别人不欣赏自己，认为她们的丈夫没有给她们以应有的关注。她们想象自己是受难者。{PH011 35.2}

事情的真相是，如果她们肯去作有用的人，别人就会欣赏她们的价值了。但当她们不断要求别人的同情和关注，而觉得自己没有义务投桃报李，始终缄默、冷淡、不可亲、对别人没有一点负担，也不同情别人的祸患，她们在自己的生活中就没有什么价值。这些女人已训练自己思想行事好像嫁给自己的丈夫是极大的屈尊俯就，自己优雅的性情得不到充分的赏识。她们看事情的观点是完全错误的。她们配不上自己的丈夫。她们成了他们不断关怀忍耐的重担，其实她们原可帮助自己的丈夫减轻生活的负担，而不是梦想在小说和爱情故事中见到的不真实的生活。愿上帝怜悯与这种无用的女人结合的男人。她们只知受人服侍，只会吃喝，打扮，喘气。{PH011 36.1}

这些自以为非常敏感优雅的女子成了非常无用的妻子和母亲。常见的情况是，她们从自己有益实际的丈夫身上收回情意，却向别的男人大表关心，且以她们相思成疾、多愁善感博得别人的同情，把自己的忧愁、试炼、要做某种高尚工作的渴望告诉他们，并且揭露她们对自己的婚姻生活很失望的事实，认为有碍于她们去做曾希望去做的工作。{PH011 37.1}

这些本可以幸福快乐的家庭中却存在着何等的不幸啊!这些妇女对自己和丈夫都是一种咒诅。她们以为自己是天使时，却使自己成了傻瓜，不过是别人的累赘。上帝已留给她们去尽的普通人生义务，被她们撇弃在自己的道路上，她们不得安宁，劳骚报怨，总是寻求一种安逸的，更加高尚，更加合意的工作。她们虽自以为是天使，却终究是人。她们焦躁、易怒、感到不满，忌恨自己的丈夫，因为他们没有把大部分时间用来伺候她们。她们抱怨自己受了忽视，其实她们的丈夫正在做她们应该去做的事。撒但极其容易接近这班女子。她们除了自己之外，对任何人都没有真正的爱。可是撒但却在她们耳边窃窃私语，假如某某人作她们的丈夫，她们就会确实幸福快乐了。她们很容易成为撒但诡计的牺牲品，很容易被引诱羞辱她们的丈夫和违背上帝的律法。{PH011 37.2}

我要对这样的女人说：你们能使自己幸福，也能摧毁自己的幸福。你们能使自己的处境快乐或不堪忍受。你们所采取的做法会给你们带来幸福或不幸。这些人在想象自己的情形非常可怜时，曾否想过她们的丈夫一定厌倦了她们的一无用处，她们的坏脾气，她们的挑剔和心血来潮的哭哭闹闹呢?她们焦躁易怒的性情的确断绝她们丈夫的情意，驱使他们到别处去寻求同情、安宁和慰藉，而不是在家里。他们的住所充满了不愉快的气氛，家对他们来说绝不是一个安息、平安、快乐的地方。丈夫屈从于撒但的试探，将感情寄托在上帝禁止的对象上，便受诱犯罪并最终沦丧了。{PH011 38.1}

女性的工作和使命极其重大，特别是那些作妻子和母亲的人。她们能够成为自己身边所有人的福惠。她们如果愿意让自己的光照耀出来，引导别人尊荣我们在天上的父，就能成为一股强大的为善感化力。她们如果愿意单单将自己的道路和心意交托给上帝，让祂来掌管她们的心意、爱情和整个人，就会拥有一种改变人心的感化力。她们能够拥有一种会提拔并净化那些与她们交往之人的感化力。但这等人一般都没有意识到自己具有的能力。她们发挥出一种潜移默化的影响力，似乎是从一种成圣的生活和一颗更新的心自然流露出来的。那是上帝所栽培的好树上自然结出的好果子。自我被忘记了，融合在基督的生命里。在好事上富足对于她们来说就好像呼吸一样自然。她们活着就是为使别人得益处，可是却随时准备说：我们是无用的仆人。{PH011 38.2}

上帝已派定了女人的使命;如果她们能谦卑行事，尽自己最大的努力，使家庭成为一个福乐之地，怀着爱意、忠心地履行她们对自己丈夫和儿女的责任，不断寻求用自己有益、纯洁、美善的生活光照周围所有的人，她们就是在做主交托给她们的工作，将来也必从祂神圣的口中听到赞许的话说：好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人，可以进来享受你主人的快乐。凡甘心乐意从事自己手头的工作，怀着愉快的心情协助丈夫分负重担，为上帝教养儿女的妇女，就最高尚的意义而言，也都是传道士。她们在从事地上要完成之大工的一个重要分支，预备凡人过更高尚的生活，她们也必得到她们的奖赏。她们要为天国培训儿女，好使他们配在上帝国度的庭院中照耀。何时父母，特别是母亲们真实地感到上帝已留给他们去做之工的重要责任，他们就不会那样多管与他们毫不相干的邻居家的闲事了。他们就不会挨家挨户地去参加流行的闲谈，细述邻舍的过失，错误，和矛盾之处了。他们就会感到照顾自己儿女的责任如此重大，以致无暇去责备邻舍了。绝对没有时间来论断他们的邻舍了。往来传舌和散布消息的人，无论对于邻里还是教会，都是可怕的咒诅。教会中三分之二的麻烦都来源于此。{PH011 39.1}

上帝要求人人都忠心履行今天的本分。自称是基督徒的人，大部分都忽略了这项责任。我所提到的那等人尤其看不到自己当前的责任，总是想象着自己比周围的人高人一等。他们这样想，正说明他们低人一等，狭隘、自负、自私。他们瞧不起那些身份卑微的穷人，但耶稣说祂所召的正是这等人。他们总是设法争权夺位，得别人的称赞，想做别人做不了的大事以获得荣誉。但他们所谓的高雅气质却妨碍他们与卑微不幸的人交往。他们完全搞错了原因。他们之所以回避这些令人感到不太舒服的义务，完全是出于他们极度的自私的心。亲爱的自我才是他们一切行为和动机的中心。{PH011 40.1}

我蒙指示去注意天上的君王。祂是天使乐于崇拜的一位，祂富有尊荣、显赫与荣耀，而祂竟来到地上，取了人的样式，祂并不以自己优雅的本性为藉口疏远不幸的世人。祂在自己的工作中，是在受苦的、贫穷的、悲伤的和有需要的人中间。基督是文雅和纯洁的化身;祂的生活和品格是高尚的;可是在祂的工作中，祂却不在声名显赫的人中间，也不在世上最可敬的人中间，而是与受人藐视及贫穷的人在一起。那位神圣的教师说，我来“为要寻找、拯救失丧的人”(路19:10)。是的，天上的君王始终都在帮助那些最需要帮助的人。愿基督的榜样使那等人的藉口蒙羞，他们过于专注于可怜的自我，以致认为去帮助那些最为无助的人有损于自己高雅的品味和崇高的恩召。这等人取了比他们的主更高的地位，最终会惊讶地发现自己竟低于他们优雅敏感的本性不屑去接触和为之作工的人。确实，与主联合并且与祂同工去帮助那等最需要帮助的人并非总是令人感到愉快的;但这正是基督虚己去做的工作。仆人岂能大过主人呢?基督已经作出了榜样，并且吩咐我们去效法祂的榜样。这等工作或许不合人意，但责任要求我们必须去做。在巴特尔克里克已有一种严重的缺乏;某等人中的一些人已经跑到一起，一起传播流言蜚语，几乎完全在一起，忽视他们周围的邻舍和社会。他们没有兴趣去认识周围的人以便消除他们心中的偏见，启发他们认识真理。他们的光照在人前有多远，叫人们看见他们的好行为，便将荣耀归给他们在天上的父呢?他们已将自己的灯藏在斗底下，把它藏在他们自己的房子里了。他们没有感到他们周围的邻舍和社会对他们有要求，也不害怕邻舍和社会将在审判的时候起来，定他们的罪，因为他们没有将得救的道路指示他们。{PH011 41.1}

我蒙指示看到，除了少数几个最合得来的人之外，他们对所有人都很冷淡。那些有相同信仰的人可能去那个地方，可是那里却没有一种个人责任感使这些人宾至如归。他们期待在工作的大中心得到与工作的性质相称的温暖接待。成百上千的人满怀希望地访问那里，结果却感到失望和懊恼，他们对巴特尔克里克的信心动摇了。许多人因为他们在巴特尔克里克遭遇的忽视和明显的冷淡而绊跌以致灭亡了。我看到上帝对生活在那里的人们缺乏热情好客和谦恭礼貌感到不悦。许多人虽不吝惜给这些人所吃的食物，但他们不愿意被打扰，不愿受到任何不便。同样的一群人会选择少数人，绕着这些人转，而忽视其他人。{PH011 43.1}

已经有人因为在巴特尔克里克见到的贪爱时尚和骄傲的炫耀，缺乏谦卑、简朴和真敬虔而被绊倒了。这些人的血在巴特尔克里克教会成员们身上。许多人带着热切的希望去了巴特尔克里克，单纯地相信他们是侍奉上帝的，留在那里一段时间之后，他们回到家，成了不信的人。一些人感到受了忽视，因为他们无法像教会里其他人穿得那么好，他们在那里逗留没多久，就失去了他们的简朴。他们感染了流行的骄傲和时尚之害，并将他们在巴特尔克里克接受的影响带到了自己的家里，让他们的黑暗临到别人身上。一种毒药已在整个教会团体传播，这种毒药来自巴特尔克里克。灵魂就在他们中间衰败，放弃真理，却没有一个人有足够的力量和敬虔去引导他们走入迷途的脚，加强他们软弱的信心。{PH011 43.2}

巴特尔克里克需要精选出来的忠心的人。那些没有担负重担的经历，也不想有这种经验的人，无论如何不应住在那里。需要为灵魂时刻警醒，好像那将来交账的人。这个重要的岗位需要在以色列中为父为母的人。要让自私自利、专顾自己、吝啬贪婪的人找到一个他们可怜的品性不会那么显眼的位置。这种人离上帝的圣工越远，对圣工越有利。{PH011 44.1}

我向巴特尔克里克和其他所有地方上帝的子民呼吁，无论你们在哪里，都要觉悟你们的责任，将之放在心中，因为我们确实生活在末后日子的危险中。我希望N.富勒的事会唤醒你们，使你们看到在你们的家中、在你们自己和你们儿女的生活中彻底下一番工作的必要性，使你们不再有一个人受撒但迷惑，去犯这个卑鄙的、非常可怜的人所犯的罪恶。那些曾经在富勒的罪恶上有份的人，若是对纯洁和美德有高尚的认识，对罪恶和罪孽常存痛恨之心，原本决不会被撇下受骗而灭亡。他们虽生活在曾传给人类的最严肃的信息之下，传讲上帝的律法乃是品格的试验和永生上帝的印记，却在干犯其神圣的律例。这些人的良心已被烙平，十分刚硬了。他们已拒绝上帝圣灵的感动，直到他们将神圣的真理当作掩盖自己腐败丑陋心灵的外衣。这人已经可怕地被撒但迷惑了。他虽自称献身于上帝的圣工、担任圣职，却一直在服侍自己卑劣的情欲。他里面一无是处，却以为自己状况良好。他已完全败坏。{PH011 45.1}

我曾见到许多智力和才能非常卓越的男女，被兽欲的强大势力所控制，不禁深感惋惜!他们如果没有沦为卑贱情欲的奴隶，本可以从事一番善工，发挥强大的感化力。我对人类的信心已经严重动摇了。我蒙指示，见到一些表面上似乎循规蹈矩，对异性非常正经的人，却几乎每天在生活中犯有这种隐秘恶习的罪。他们没有戒除这种可怕的罪行，甚至在召开最严肃的聚会期间，仍旧照犯不改。他们听到最严肃、动人的关于审判的道理，似乎是将他们带到上帝的审判台前，使他们不寒而栗。可是，一个小时还没过去，而他们竟又犯了自己所迷恋的罪，污秽自己的身体。他们成为此项可怕罪恶的奴隶，似乎是缺乏管制自己情欲的能力。我们曾下了恳切的功夫，劝请他们，为他们流泪祷告;可是我们知道，正当我们全力切心工作并忧苦难过之际，那恶习的力量却占了上风，使他们又犯此罪。藉着严重的疾病打击或良心的强大信念，有些罪人已被唤醒，非常自责，以致使他们深感羞耻地承认了这些事。其他人也一样有罪。他们几乎一生都在犯这种罪恶，他们将要在自己衰弱的身体和糟透的记忆力中收获这种致命习惯的恶果。但是他们因为过于骄傲而不肯承认。他们是偷偷摸摸犯这种罪的，一直没有因这种大罪表现出良心的谴责。我对这种人的基督徒经验感到很没有信心。他们似乎一点也感受不到上帝圣灵的影响。圣与俗对他们来说都是一样。常行这种如此污秽毁损身心的恶习并未使他们流出痛苦的眼泪和真心悔改。他们觉得他们的罪只是得罪自己。这是一种错误的认识。要是他们身心患病，就会使别人感受到，使别人受苦。他们的想象力有故障，记忆力不足，屡犯错误，各处都有不足，严重影响那些与他们同住和与他们交往的人。别人知道了这些事，也会感到羞辱和遗憾。{PH011 46.1}

我提到这些事，为要说明这种恶习毁灭人身心的能力。人的全部心思都沉溺于卑贱的情欲。道德和理智的能力被低级的能力压服了。身体衰弱无力，大脑也被削弱了。存放在那里用来营养身体系统的材料被浪费了。身体系统受到的消耗很大。大脑纤细的神经既受刺激去做不自然的举动，就变得麻木不灵且在一定程度上瘫痪了。道德和理智能力被削弱，而兽性情欲却在加强，因操练而大大发育。要求不健康食物的欲望叫嚣着要放纵。当人沉溺于手淫的习惯时，就不可能唤醒他们的道德感，使他们赏识永恒的事或喜爱属灵的活动了。心中充满了不洁的思想，意乱情迷，接下来便是几乎无法控制地想要去从事那种污秽的行为。心智若受训练去默想高尚的题旨，想象力也受训练去思考纯净圣洁的事，就会得到加强，防御这种可怕的、卑贱的、毁灭人身心的恶习。心思会藉着训练变得习惯停留在高尚、属天、纯洁而且神圣的事上，而不能被这种低级、败坏而且可耻的放纵所吸引了。{PH011 47.1}

对于那些一直生活在真理的明光之下，却天天惯行而且随从犯罪作恶行为的人，我们还能说什么呢?被禁止的、令人兴奋的乐趣对他们有一种魔力，控制了他们整个的人。这等人乐行不义和罪孽，必和一切可憎之物一同在上帝圣城之外灭亡。{PH011 48.1}

是什么原因导致了这种对永恒利益惊人的、明显的漠不关心呢?是虽有谴责罪恶的光照在他们身上，他们却依然放纵罪恶。罪恶受了责备，可是他们却不愿改正。他们继续天天作孽。上帝发出责备，可是他们却硬着心反对警告。他们并不回转。我为一些个人写了证言。当我背负重担，几乎晕倒时，我站在巴特尔克里克，向自称守上帝诫命的人陈明了他们的真实状况。我在说话、警告和恳求的时候，感受到了上帝的能力大大加在我身上。然而我知道只有一两个受到责备的人回转了。其余的几乎和以前一样。出版社的情况尤其如此。只做出了很少的努力，通过一番彻底的改革来符合上帝的心意，通过归还来纠正错误。{PH011 49.1}

上帝的不悦还没有从巴特尔克里克教会消除。人们因各种罪过而受到责备。有些人在他们的家庭中是暴君，但他们过于骄傲、任性和自信，无法改变他们的做法。他们有很大的自尊心，甚至把自己的判断当作上帝的判断。他们在自以为明智的事上处在最大的迷惑中。许多人虽然受了责备，却没有改革。这种人不会接受亮光，而会被撇下去偏行己路，想象自己是正确的，直到他们的真实状况向他们显明出来，那时赎罪的祭再也没有了。当我们的中保停止为犯错的人类恳求时，他们的软弱和羞耻就会向众人显明出来。{PH011 49.2}

我已力求唤醒父母们觉悟自己的责任，他们却继续沉睡。你们的孩子正在实行这种隐秘的恶习，他们把你们蒙在鼓里。你们绝对信任他们，以为他们太好太天真，不会秘密行恶。父母娇纵宠爱自己的儿女，放纵他们沉迷于骄傲，却没有坚定果断地约束他们。他们很害怕儿女任性、倔强的精神，以致不敢惹起这种情绪;显然于以利不利的疏忽的罪，也会是他们的罪。对于凡争取永生的人，彼得的劝告是具有最高价值的。他向那些同有一样宝贵信心的人说：{PH011 50.1}

“作耶稣基督仆人和使徒的西门彼得写信给那因我们的上帝和救主耶稣基督之义，与我们同得一样宝贵信心的人。愿恩惠、平

PH011 - Appeal to the Battle Creek Church

I was shown, October 2, 1868, the state of God’s professed people. Many of them were in great darkness, yet seemed to be insensible of their true condition. The sensibilities of a large number seemed to be benumbed in regard to spiritual and eternal things, while their minds seemed all awake to their worldly interest. Many were cherishing idols in their hearts, and were practicing iniquity which separated God from them, and caused them to be bodies of darkness. Yet I saw but few standing in the light, having discernment and spirituality to discover these stumbling-blocks and remove them out of the way. Especially is this the case in Battle Creek. Men in responsible places at the heart of the work are asleep. They are paralyzed by Satan, that his plans and devices may not be discerned while he is active to ensnare, deceive, and destroy. Those who are occupying the position of watchmen to warn the people of danger, have given up their watch, and recline at ease. They are unfaithful sentinels. They have remained inactive and indolent while their wily foe has entered the fort, and works successfully by their side to tear down what God has commanded to be built up. They see that Satan is deceiving the inexperienced?and unsuspecting, yet they take it all quietly, as though they had no special interest, as though these things did not concern them. They apprehend no special danger. They see no cause to raise an alarm. All to them seems to be going well, and they see no necessity of raising the faithful, trumpet tones of warning they hear in the plain testimonies borne showing the people their transgressions and the house of Israel their sins. These reproofs and warnings disturb the quiet of these sleepy, ease-loving sentinels. They are not pleased. They say in heart, if not in words, This is all uncalled for. It is too severe, too harsh. These men are unnecessarily disturbed and excited, and seem unwilling to give us any quietude or rest. Ye take too much upon yourselves, seeing the congregation is holy, every one of them. They are unwilling we should have any comfort, peace, or happiness. It is active labor, toil, and unceasing vigilance alone which will satisfy these unreasonable, hard-to-be suited watchmen. Why don’t they prophesy smooth things, and cry, Peace, peace? Then every thing would move on smoothly.?{PH011 1.1}[1]

These are the true feelings of a large class in Battle Creek. Satan exults at his success in controlling the minds of so many who profess to be Christians. He has deceived them, benumbed their sensibilities, and planted his hellish banner right in their midst, and they?are so completely deceived that they know not that it is he. The people have not erected graven images, yet their sin is no less in the sight of God. They worship mammon. They love worldly gain. Some will make any sacrifice of conscience to obtain their object. God’s professed people are selfish and self-caring. They love the things of this world, and have fellowship with the works of darkness. They have pleasure in unrighteousness. They have not love toward God, nor love for their neighbors. They are idolaters—worse, far worse, in the sight of God, than the heathen graven-image worshipers who have no knowledge of a better way.?{PH011 2.1}[2]

Christ’s followers are required to come out from the world and be separate, and touch not the unclean, and they shall be sons and daughters of the Lord. If the conditions are not complied with on their part, they will not, cannot, realize the fulfillment of the promise of being children of the most high God, members of the royal family. A profession of Christianity is nothing in the sight of God; but true, humble, willing obedience to his requirements designates them as the children of his adoption, the recipients of his grace, the partakers of his great salvation. Such will be peculiar, a spectacle unto the world, to angels, and to men. Their peculiar, holy character will be discernible, and will?distinctly separate them from the world, from its affections and lust.?{PH011 3.1}[3]

I saw that but few answer to this description in Battle Creek. Their love to God is in words, not in deed and in truth. Their course of action, their works testify of them, that they are not children of the light, but of darkness. Their works have been in selfishness, in unrighteousness. Their works have not been wrought in God. Their hearts are strangers to his renewing grace. They have not experienced the transforming power which leads them to walk even as Christ walked. Those who are living branches of the heavenly Vine, will partake of the sap and nourishment of the vine. They will not be withered and fruitless branches. They will show life, and vigor, and will flourish and bear fruit to the glory of God. They will be careful to depart from all iniquity, and perfect holiness in the fear of God.?{PH011 4.1}[4]

The church has departed from the light, neglected her duties, abused her high and exalted privileges of being peculiar and holy in character, and thereby dishonored her God, like ancient Israel. They have violated their covenant to live for God and him only. They have joined in with the selfish and world-loving. Pride, the love of pleasure, and sin, are cherished, and Christ has departed. His Spirit has been quenched in the church. Satan works side by side with Professed?Christians; yet they are so destitute of spirituality and discernment that they do not detect him. They have not the burden of the work. The solemn truths they profess to believe are not a reality to them. They have not genuine faith. Men and women will act out all the faith they in reality possess. By their fruits ye shall know them. Not their profession, but the fruit they bear, shows the character of the true. Many have a form of godliness, their names are upon the church records, but they have a spotted record in Heaven. The recording angel has written deeds. Their acts have been faithfully written. Every selfish act, every wrong word, every unfulfilled duty, and every secret sin, with every artful dissembling, is faithfully chronicled in the book of records kept by the recording angel.?{PH011 4.2}[5]

Very many profess to be servants of Jesus Christ who are none of his. They are deceiving their own souls to their own destruction. While they profess to be servants of Jesus Christ, they are not living in obedience to his will. Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; Whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Many, while professing to be servants of Jesus Christ, are obeying another master, and working daily against the Master of whom they profess to be servants. No?man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.{PH011 5.1}[6]

Earthly and selfish interests engage the mind, soul, and strength, of God’s professed followers. They are, to all intents and purposes, servants of mammon. They have not experienced a crucifixion to the world, with its affections and lusts. I saw that but few among the many who profess to be Christ’s followers can say in the language of the apostle, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” If willing obedience and true love characterize the lives of the people of God, their light will shine with a holy brightness to the world.?{PH011 6.1}[7]

The words of Christ, addressed to his disciples, were designed for all who should believe on his name: “Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.” A profession of godliness without the living principle is as?utterly valueless as salt without its saving properties. An unprincipled professed Christian is a by-word, a reproach to Christ, a dishonor to his name. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.”?{PH011 6.2}[8]

The good works of God’s people have a more powerful influence than words. The beholder is attracted by their virtuous life and unselfish acts, to desire the same righteousness which produced so good fruit. They are charmed with that power from God which would transform selfish human beings into the divine, and God is honored, his name glorified. God is dishonored and his cause reproached by his people’s being in bondage to the world. They are in friendship with the world, the enemies of God. The only hope of their salvation is a separation from the world, and to zealously maintain their separate, holy and peculiar character. Oh! why will not God’s people comply with the conditions laid down in the word of God? If they would do this, they would not fail to realize the excellent blessings freely given of God to the humble and obedient. I was amazed as I beheld the terrible darkness of most of the members of the?Battle Creek church. The blindness seemed horrifying.?{PH011 7.1}[9]

The lack of true godliness was such that they were bodies of darkness and death, instead of being the light of the world. There were so many professing to love God, but in works denying him. They did not love him, serve, nor obey him. Their own selfish interests were primary. There seemed to be an alarming lack of principle with a large share. They were swayed by unconsecrated influence, and seemed to have no root in themselves. I inquired what these things meant. Why was there such a destitution of spirituality—so few who had a living experience in religious things? I was referred to the words of the prophet, “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling-block of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God: Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling-block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; that I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.”?{PH011 8.1}[10]

The people of God were represented to me?in a backslidden state. They have not an eye single to the glory of God. Their own glory is prominent. They seek to glorify themselves, and yet call themselves Christians. Holiness of heart and purity of life were the great subjects of the teachings of Christ. In his sermon on the mount, after specifying what they must do in order to be blest, and what they must not do, he says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect. Perfection, holiness—nothing short of this would give them success in carrying out the principles he had given them. Without this holiness, the human heart is selfish, sinful, vile, and vicious. Holiness will lead its possessor to be fruitful, and abound in all good works. He will never become weary in well-doing, neither look for promotion here in this world. He will look forward to be promoted by the Majesty of Heaven when he shall exalt his sanctified and holy ones to his throne. Then shall he say unto them, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Then he enumerates the works of self-denial and mercy, compassion, and righteousness, they had wrought. Holiness of heart will produce right actions. It is the absence of holiness, of spirituality, which has led to unrighteous acts, to envy, hatred, jealousy, evil surmisings, and every hateful and abominable sin.?{PH011 8.2}[11]

I have tried in the fear of God to set before his people their danger and their sins; and have endeavored to the best of my feeble powers to arouse them. I have stated startling things, which, if they had believed, would have caused them distress and terror, and led them to zeal in repenting of their sins and iniquities. I have stated before them that, from what was shown me, but a small number of those now professing to believe the truth, would eventually be saved—not because they cannot be saved, but because they will not be saved in God’s own appointed way. The way marked out by our divine Lord was too narrow and the gate too strait to admit them with their grasp upon the world, or while cherishing selfishness, or any corruption. All these there was no room for, and there are but few who will consent to part with these things, that they may pass the narrow way, and enter the strait gate.?{PH011 10.1}[12]

The words of Christ have been plain and positive: “Agonize to enter in at the strait gate; for many I say unto you shall seek to enter in and shall not be able.” Professed Christians are not all so at heart. There are sinners in Zion now, as there were anciently. Isaiah speaks of them in referring to the day of God: “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting?burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from the holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil. He shall dwell on high; his defense shall be the munitions of rocks; bread shall be given him, his waters shall be sure.”?{PH011 10.2}[13]

There are hypocrites now who will tremble when they obtain a view of themselves. Their own vileness will terrify them in the day of God which is soon to come upon us, when the Lord “cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.” Oh! that terror may now get hold upon them, that they may have a vivid sense of their condition, and arouse while there is mercy and hope, confess their sins, and humble their souls greatly before God, that he may pardon their transgressions, and heal their backslidings. The people of God are unready for the fearful, trying scenes before us, unready to stand pure from evil and lust amid the perils and corruptions of this degenerate age. They have not on the armor of righteousness, and are unprepared to war against the prevailing sin and iniquity around them. Many are not obeying the commandments of God; yet they profess so to do. If they would be faithful to obey all the statutes of God, they would have a power?which would carry conviction to the hearts of the unbelieving.?{PH011 11.1}[14]

I have sought to do my duty. I have specified the special sins of some. I was shown that the sins and errors of all in the wisdom of God would not be revealed. All would have sufficient light; all could see, if they desired to do so, and earnestly wished to put their sins and errors from them, and perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. They could see what sins God marked and reproved in others. If these sins were cherished by them, they should know that they were abhorred of God, and were separated from him; and unless they earnestly and zealously set about the work to put them away, they would be left in darkness. God is too pure to behold iniquity. A sin marked in one is just as grievous in the sight of God in every case. There will be no exception made by an impartial God. All who are guilty are addressed in these individual testimonies, although their names may not be attached to the special testimony borne; and if individuals pass over their own sins because their names are not especially called, if they cover their sins, they will not be prospered of God. They cannot advance in the divine life, but will become darker and darker until the light of Heaven will be entirely withdrawn.?{PH011 12.1}[15]

Men and women professing godliness, yet not sanctified by the truth they profess, will?not change materially their course of action, which they know is hateful before God, because they are not subjected to the trial of being reproved individually for their sins. They see, by the testimonies of others, their own case faithfully pictured out before them. They are cherishing the same evil. By continuing their course of sin, they are violating their consciences, hardening their hearts, and stiffening their necks, just the same as if the testimony had been borne directly to them. In passing on, and refusing to put away their sins and correct their wrongs by humble confession, repentance, and humiliation, they choose their own way, and are given up to the same, and are finally led captive by Satan at his will. They may become quite bold because they are able to conceal from others their sins, and because the judgments of God are not seen in a visible manner upon them. They may be apparently prosperous in this world. They may deceive poor, short-sighted mortals, and be regarded as patterns of piety while in their sins. God cannot be deceived. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him. But it shall not be?well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.” Although the life of the sinner may be prolonged upon the earth, yet not in the earth made new. He shall be of that number David mentions in his psalm: “For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth.”?{PH011 12.2}[16]

Mercy and truth are promised to the humble and penitent, and judgments are prepared for the sinful and rebellious. “Justice and judgments are the habitation of Thy throne.” A wicked and adulterous people will not escape the wrath of God and the punishment they have justly earned. Man has fallen, and his is a work of a lifetime, be it longer or shorter, to recover from his fall, and regain, through Christ, the image of the divine, which he has lost by sin and continued transgression. God requires a thorough transformation, of soul, body and spirit, in order to regain the estate lost through Adam. The Lord mercifully sends rays of light to show him his true condition. If he will not walk in the light, he manifests a pleasure in darkness. He will not come to the light lest his deeds shall be reproved.?{PH011 14.1}[17]

The case of N. Fuller has caused me much grief and anguish of spirit. That he should yield himself to the control of Satan to work?wickedness as he has done, is terrible. I believe that God designed this case of hypocrisy and villainy should be brought to light in the manner it has been, to prove a warning to others. Here is a man acquainted with the Bible teachings. He has listened to testimonies that I have borne in his presence against the very sins he has been practicing. He has heard me speak, more than once, decidedly in regard to the prevailing sins of this generation, that corruption was teeming everywhere, that base passions controlled men and women generally; that among the masses crimes of the darkest dye were continually practiced, and they were reeking in their own corruption. The nominal churches are filled with these sins of fornication and adultery, crime and murder, the result of base, lustful passion, but these things are kept covered. Ministers, in high places, are guilty, yet a cloak of godliness covers their dark deeds and they pass on from year to year in their course of hypocrisy. Their sins have reached unto Heaven, and the honest in heart will be brought to the light, and come out of her.?{PH011 14.2}[18]

From the light God has given me, fornication and adultery are estimated, by a large number of the first-day Adventists, as sins which God winketh at. These sins are practiced to a great extent. They do not acknowledge the claims upon them. They have?broken the commandments of the great Jehovah, and are zealously teaching their hearers to do the same, declaring the law of God abolished, having no claims upon them. In accordance with this free state of things, sin does not appear so exceedingly sinful; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. We may expect to find men in this company who will deceive, and lie, and give loose reign to lustful passions. But men and women who acknowledge the ten commandments binding, who observe the fourth commandment of the decalogue, should carry out in their lives, the principles of all ten of the precepts given in awful grandeur from Sinai.?{PH011 15.1}[19]

The Seventh-day Adventists who profess to be looking for, and loving, the appearing of Christ, should not follow the course of worldlings. They are no criterion for commandment-keepers. Neither should they pattern after the first-day Adventists, who trample under foot the law of God, and who will not acknowledge its claims. This class should be no criterion for them. Commandment-keeping Adventist are occupying a peculiar, exalted position. John viewed them in holy vision, and described them. Here are they who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus.?{PH011 16.1}[20]

The Lord made a special covenant with his ancient Israel if they would prove faithful, “Now, therefore, if ye will obey my voice?indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” He addresses his commandment-keeping people in these last days, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”?{PH011 16.2}[21]

All who profess to keep the commandments of God are not possessing their bodies in sanctification and honor. The most solemn message ever committed to mortals has been intrusted to this people, and they can have a powerful influence if they will be sanctified by the truths they profess. They profess to be standing upon the elevated platform of eternal truth, keeping all of God’s commandments; therefore, if they indulge in sin, if they commit fornication and adultery, their crime is of tenfold greater magnitude than the classes I have named who do not acknowledge the law of God binding upon them. In a peculiar sense do those who profess to keep God’s law dishonor him and reproach the truth by transgressing the law of God.?{PH011 17.1}[22]

This very sin, fornication, prevailed among?ancient Israel, which brought the signal manifestation of God’s displeasure. The judgments of God then followed close upon their heinous sin, and thousands of them fell, and their polluted bodies were left in the wilderness. “But with many of them God was not well pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.”{PH011 17.2}[23]

Seventh-day Adventists, above all people in the world, should be patterns of piety, holy in heart and in conversation. I related in the presence of N. Fuller that the people whom God had chosen as his peculiar treasure, he required to be elevated, refined, sanctified; partakers of the divine nature,?having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Should they indulge in sin and iniquity who make so high a profession, their guilt would be very great, their sin of great magnitude in his sight. He would reprove the sins of one, that others might take warning, and fear. The warnings, corrections, and reproofs, are not given to the erring because their lives are more blameworthy than professed Christians of the nominal churches, or because their acts and example are worse than the Adventists who will not yield obedience to the claims of God’s law; but because they have great light, and have by their profession taken their position as God’s special, chosen people, having the law of God written in their hearts. They signify their loyalty to the God of Heaven by yielding obedience to the laws of his government. They are God’s representatives upon the earth. Any sin or transgression in them, separates them from God, and, in a special manner, dishonors his name by giving the enemies of God’s holy law occasion to reproach his cause and his people, whom he has called “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people,” that they should show forth the praises of Him that hath called them out of darkness into his marvelous light.?{PH011 18.1}[24]

The people who are at war with the law of the great Jehovah, who consider it a special?virtue to talk, and write, and act, the most bitter and hateful things, to show their contempt of that law, may make high and exalted profession of love to God, and apparently have much religious zeal, as did the Jewish chief priests and elders; yet in the day of God, found wanting will be said by the Majesty of Heaven. By the law is the knowledge of sin. The mirror which would discover to them the defects in their character, they are infuriated against, because it points out their sins. Leading Adventists who have rejected the light are fired with madness against God’s holy law, as the Jewish nation were against the Son of God. They are in a terrible deception, deceiving souls and being deceived themselves. They will not come to the light lest their deeds should be reproved. Such will not be taught. But the people who profess to keep the law of God, he corrects, he reproves, he points out their sins, and lays open their iniquity; because he wishes to separate all sin and wickedness from them, that they may perfect holiness in his fear, and be prepared to die in the Lord, or for translation to Heaven. God will rebuke, reprove, and correct them, that they may be refined, sanctified, elevated, and finally exalted to his own throne.?{PH011 19.1}[25]

Eld. Fuller has heard the testimony borne in public, that the professed people of God were not all holy; some were corrupt. God?was seeking to elevate them, but they refused to come up upon a high plane of action. The animal passions bore sway, and the moral and intellectual were overborne, and made servants to the corrupt passions. Those who do not control their base passions cannot appreciate the atonement, or place right value upon the worth of the soul. Salvation to them is not experienced nor understood. The gratification of their animal passions is to them the highest ambition of their lives. Nothing but purity and holiness will God accept; one spot, one wrinkle, one defect in the character, will debar Heaven, with all its glories and treasure, from them forever.?{PH011 20.1}[26]

Ample provisions have been made for all who sincerely, earnestly, and thoughtfully, set about the work of perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Power and strength, grace and glory, have been provided through Christ, to be brought by ministering angels to the heirs of salvation. None are so low, and corrupt, and vile, but that they can find in Jesus, who died for them, strength, purity, and righteousness, if they will put away their sins, stop their course of iniquity, and turn with full purpose of heart to the living God. He is waiting to strip them of their garments, stained and polluted by sin, and to put upon them the white, bright robes of righteousness; and he bids them live and not die. In him they may flourish. Their branches?will not wither nor be fruitless. If they abide in him, they can draw sap and nourishment from him, be imbued with his Spirit, and walk even as he has walked, and overcome as he has overcome, and be exalted to his own right hand.?{PH011 21.1}[27]

Eld. Fuller has been warned. The warnings given to others condemned him. The sins reproved in others reproved him, and gave him sufficient light how God regarded crimes of such a character as he was committing; yet he would not turn from his evil course. He pursued his fearful, impious work, corrupting the bodies and souls of his flock. Satan had strengthened the lustful passions which this man did not subdue, and engaged them in his cause to lead souls to death. We have no hope of his salvation. While he professed to be keeping the law of God, he was, in a most wanton manner, violating its plain precepts. He has given himself up to the gratification of sensual pleasure. He has sold himself to work wickedness. What will be the wages of such a man? The indignation and wrath of God will punish him for sin. The vengeance of God will be aroused against those whose hellish passions have been concealed under a ministerial cloak. While professing to be a shepherd of the flock, he was leading the flock to certain ruin. These dreadful results are the fruits of the carnal mind, which?is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.?{PH011 22.1}[28]

I was referred to this Scripture: “Let not sin, therefore, reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it, in the lust thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Professed Christians, if there is no further light given you than that contained in this text, you will be without excuse if you suffer yourselves to be controlled by base passions.?{PH011 23.1}[29]

The word of God is sufficient to enlighten the most beclouded mind, to be understood by those who have any wish to understand it. But notwithstanding all this some of those who profess to make the word of God their study, are found living in direct opposition to its plainest teachings. Then to leave men and women without excuse, God has given plain and pointed testimonies, bringing them to the word they have neglected to follow. Yet all the light is turned from by those who serve their own lusts, and they will not cease their course of sin, but continue to take pleasure in unrighteousness, in the face of the threatenings and vengeance of God against those who do such things.?{PH011 23.2}[30]

I have been long designing to speak to my sisters, and tell them that, from what the Lord has been pleased to show me from time to time, there is a great fault among them. They?are not careful to abstain from all appearance of evil. They are not all circumspect in their deportment, as becometh women professing godliness. Their words are not so select and well chosen as should be for women who have received the grace of God. They are too familiar with their brethren. They linger around them, incline towards them, and seem to choose their society. They are highly gratified with their attention.?{PH011 23.3}[31]

From the light the Lord has given me, our sisters should pursue a very different course. They should be more reserved, and manifest less boldness, and encourage in themselves “shamefacedness and sobriety.” There is too much jovial talk indulged in among our brethren, as well as our sisters, when in each other’s society. There is much jesting and joking and laughing indulged in by women professing godliness. This is all unbecoming, and grieves the Spirit of God. These exhibitions manifest a lack of true Christian refinement. These things indulged in do not strengthen the soul in God, but bring great darkness, drive the pure, refined, heavenly angels away, and bring those who engage in these wrongs down to a low level.?{PH011 24.1}[32]

All our sisters should encourage true meekness, not to be forward, talkative, and bold, but modest and unassuming, slow to speak. They may cherish courteousness. To be kind, tender, pitiful, forgiving, and humble, would be becoming and well pleasing to God. If they occupy this position, they will not be burdened with undue attention from gentlemen?or their brethren. There will be felt by all that there is a sacred circle of purity around these God-fearing women, which shields them from any unwarrantable liberties. There is too much careless, loose, coarse, freedom of manner by some women professing godliness, which leads to wrong and evil.?{PH011 24.2}[33]

Those godly women who occupy their minds and hearts in meditating upon themes which would strengthen purity of life, which would elevate the soul to commune with God, will not be easily led astray from the path of rectitude and virtue. They will be fortified against the sophistry of Satan, and are prepared to withstand his seductive arts.?{PH011 25.1}[34]

The fashion of the world, the desire of the eye, and the lust of the flesh or vain glory, are connected with the fall of the unfortunate. That which is pleasing to the natural heart and carnal mind is cherished. If the lust of the flesh had been rooted out of their hearts, they would not be so weak. If our sisters would feel the necessity of purifying their thoughts, and never suffer themselves to be careless in their deportment, which leads to improper acts, they need not stain in the least their purity. They would, if they view the ‘matter as God has presented it to me, bear such an abhorrence to impure acts and deeds that they would not be found among the number who had fallen through the temptations of Satan, no matter who the medium might be whom Satan should select.?{PH011 25.2}[35]

A preacher may be dealing in sacred, holy things, and yet not be holy in heart. He may?give himself to Satan to work wickedness, and to corrupt the soul and body of his flock. Yet if the minds of women and youth professing to love and fear God were fortified with the Spirit of God, if they had trained their minds to purity of thought, and educated themselves to avoid all appearance of evil, they would be safe from any improper advances, and be secure from the prevailing corruption around them. The Apostle Paul has written concerning himself, “But I keep my body under, and bring it in subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”?{PH011 25.3}[36]

If a minister of the gospel has not control of his baser passions, if he fails to follow the example of the apostle, and so dishonors his profession and faith as to even name the indulgence of sin, our sisters who profess godliness should not for an instant flatter themselves that sin and crime lose their sinfulness in the least because their minister dares to engage in them. Because men who are in responsible places show themselves to be familiar with sin, it should not lessen the guilt and enormity of the sin in the minds of any. Sin should appear just as sinful, just as abhorrent, as they had heretofore regarded it; and the one who indulges in sin should, in the minds of the pure and elevated, be abhorred and withdrawn from, as they would flee from a serpent whose sting was deadly.?{PH011 26.1}[37]

If the sisters were elevated and possessing purity of heart, any corrupt advance, even from their minister, would be repulsed with?such positiveness as would never meet with a repetition. Minds must be terribly befogged by Satan, that can listen to the voice of the seducer because he is a minister, and therefore break God’s plain and positive commands, and flatter themselves that they commit no sin. Have we not the words of John: “He that saith I know Him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him”? What saith the law? “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” The fact of man’s professing to keep God’s holy law, and ministering in sacred things, and taking the advantage of the confidence his position gives him to indulge his base passions, should, of itself, be sufficient for a woman professing godliness, to see that, although his profession was as exalted as the heavens, any impure proposal coming from him was Satan disguised through the minister, as an angel of light. I cannot believe that the word of God is abiding in the hearts of those who are so readily controlled, and yield up their innocency and virtue upon the altar of lustful passions.?{PH011 26.2}[38]

My sisters, avoid even the appearance of evil. In this fast age reeking with corruption, you are not safe unless you stand guarded. Virtue and modesty are rare. I appeal to you as followers of Jesus Christ, making a high and exalted profession, to cherish this precious, priceless gem, modesty. This will guard virtue. If you have any hope of being finally exalted to join company with the pure, sinless angels, and live in an atmosphere where there is not the least taint of sin, cherish modesty?and virtue. Nothing but purity, sacred purity, will abide the day of God, stand the grand review, and be received into a pure and holy Heaven.?{PH011 27.1}[39]

The least insinuations, come from whatever source they may, inviting you to indulge in sin, or to allow the least unwarrantable liberty with your persons, resent as the worst of insults to your dignified womanhood. The kiss upon your cheek, at an improper time and place, should lead you to repel the emissary of Satan with disgust. If it is from one in high places who is dealing in sacred things, the sin, in such a one, is of tenfold greater magnitude, and should lead a God-fearing woman, or youth, to recoil with horror, not only from the sin he would have you commit, but from the hypocrisy and villainy of one whom the people respect and honor as God’s servant. He is handling sacred things, yet hiding his baseness of heart under a ministerial cloak. Be afraid of anything like this familiarity. Be sure the least approach to it is the evidence of a lascivious mind and a lustful eye. If the least encouragement is given in this direction, if any of the liberties mentioned are tolerated, no better evidence can you give that your mind is not pure and chaste as it should be, and that sin and crime have charms for you. You lower the standard of your dignified, virtuous womanhood, and give unmistakable evidence that a low, brutal, common passion and lust has been suffered to remain alive in your heart, and has never been crucified.?{PH011 28.1}[40]

As I have been shown the dangers of, and?sins among, those who profess better things—a class who are not suspected of being in any danger from these polluting sins—I have been led to inquire, Who, O Lord, shall stand when thou appearest? Only those who have clean hands and pure hearts shall abide the day of his coming.?{PH011 28.2}[41]

I feel impelled by the Spirit of the Lord to urge my sisters who profess godliness to cherish modesty of deportment and a becoming reserve, with shamefacedness and sobriety. The liberties taken in this age of corruption should be no criterion for Christ’s followers. These fashionable exhibitions of familiarity should not exist among Christians fitting for immortality. If lasciviousness, pollution, adultery, crime, and murder is the order of the day among those who know not the truth, and who refuse to be controlled by the principles of God’s word, how important that the class professing to be followers of Christ, closely allied to God and angels, should show them a better and nobler way. How important that their chastity and virtue stand in marked contrast to that of the class who are controlled by brute passions.?{PH011 29.1}[42]

I have inquired, When will the youthful sisters act with propriety? I know there will not be any decided change for the better until parents feel the importance of greater carefulness in educating their children correctly. Teach them to act with reserve and modesty. Educate them for usefulness, to be helps, to minister to others rather than be waited upon, and be ministered unto.?{PH011 29.2}[43]

Satan has the control of the minds of the youth generally. Your daughters are not taught self-denial and self-control. They are petted, and their pride is fostered. They are allowed to have their own way until they become headstrong and self-willed, and you are put to your wits’ end to know what course to pursue, to save them from ruin. Satan is leading them on to be a proverb in the mouths of unbelievers, because of their boldness, lack of reserve and female modesty. The young boys are likewise left to have their own way. They have scarcely entered their teens before they are by the side of little girls about their own age, accompanying them home, and making love to them. And the parents are so completely in bondage through their own indulgence and mistaken love for their children that they dare not pursue a decided course to make a change and restrain their too-fast children, in this fast age.?{PH011 30.1}[44]

Especially has this been the case in Battle Creek. Parents who have sent their children from their care to attend school there, thinking that others would do the duty that they had neglected, have made a great mistake. There are young boys and girls in Battle Creek standing ready to seize new-comers and introduce them to their frivolous pleasures and sports. They profess to be Christians. They sometimes speak in meeting,?and this gives them influence with strangers. Yet they have, many of them, no experience in divine things, and their profession makes them no better than unbelievers, because they do not live Christian lives. They do not deny themselves, and bear the cross by restraining their desires. Their conversation is not humble; it is not in Heaven.?{PH011 30.2}[45] With many young ladies the boys is the theme of conversation, with the young men it is the girls. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. They talk of those subjects upon which their minds mostly run. The recording angel is writing the words of these professed Christian boys and girls. How will they be confused and ashamed when they meet it again in the day of God. There are too many children who are pious hypocrites. The youth who have not made a profession of religion stumble over these hypocritical ones, and are hardened against any effort that may be made by those interested in their salvation.?{PH011 31.1}[46]

Parents, you should not send your children to Battle Creek. There ought to be in Battle Creek a powerful influence for good; but there is a most urgent need of fathers and mothers in Israel who will care for souls. Many souls have come to Battle Creek, tender in spirit, susceptible of the influences of the Spirit of God, yet no one has had a burden of labor for these souls, and when they?leave the place, they can in truth say, No man careth for my soul. Selfish interest has been primary. Individual effort and responsibility are not felt. Souls are thrown into the arms of the church, in the providence of God, who are left to be made a prey by the devourer of souls. Oh! what will be the account that these indolent, slothful, indifferent ones will have to render in the reckoning day??{PH011 31.2}[47]

There ought to be picked men at the heart of the work, who can be relied upon in every emergency to keep the fort—men who are unselfish, abounding in generosity and all good works, whose lives are hid in God, and who consider the better life of more value than food and clothing. “Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” Faithful sentinels God calls for right at the heart of the work, who will love souls for whom Christ died, who will bear the burden for perishing souls, looking forward to that recompense of reward which will be theirs when they enter into the joy of their Lord, and behold souls saved through their instrumentality, to live as long as God shall live, and be happy, eternally happy, in his glorious kingdom. Oh! that we could arouse fathers and mothers to have a sense of their duty. Oh! that they would feel deeply the weight of responsibility resting upon them. Then they might forestall the enemy, and?gain precious victories for Jesus. Parents are not clear in this matter. They should investigate their lives closely, analyze their thoughts and motives, and see if they have been circumspect in their course of action. They should closely watch, to see if their example in conversation and deportment has been such as they would wish their children to imitate. Have purity and virtue shine out in your words and acts before your children.?{PH011 32.1}[48]

I have been shown families where the husband and father has not preserved that reserve, that dignified, godlike manhood which a follower of Jesus Christ should. He has failed in his kind, tender, courteous acts due to his wife, whom he has promised before God and angels to love and respect and honor while they both shall live. The girl employed to do the work has been free and somewhat forward in her attentions to dress his hair and be affectionately attentive, and he is pleased, foolishly pleased. He is not as demonstrative in his attention and love as he once was to his wife. Be sure Satan is at work here. Respect your hired help, treat them kindly, considerately, but go no farther. Let your deportment be such that there will be no advances to familiarity from your help. If you have words of kindness and acts of courtesy to give, it is always safe to give them to your wife. It will be a great blessing to her, and will bring happiness to her?heart which will be reflected back upon you again. Also, I have been shown that the wife has let her sympathies and interest and affection go out to other men. They may be members of the family, whom she makes confidants, relating her troubles and, perhaps, her private family matters, to them. She shows a preference for their society.?{PH011 33.1}[49]

This is all wrong. Satan is at the bottom of it; and unless you are alarmed, and stop just where you are, he will lead you to ruin. You cannot observe too great caution, and encourage too much reserve in this matter. If you have tender, loving words and kindly attentions to bestow, let it be given him you have promised before God and angels to love, honor, and respect, while you both shall live. Oh! how many lives are made bitter by the walls’ being broken down which inclose every family, calculated to preserve its purity and sanctity. A third person is frequently taken into the confidence of the wife, and her private family matters are laid open before the special friend. This is the device of Satan to estrange the hearts of the husband and wife. Oh! that this would cease. What a world of trouble would be saved! Lock the faults of one another within your own hearts. Tell your troubles alone to God. He can give you right counsel and sure consolation, which will be pure, having no bitterness in it.?{PH011 34.1}[50]

I am acquainted with a number of cases where the women have thought their marriage a misfortune. They have read novels until their imaginations have become diseased, and they live in a world of their own creating. They think themselves women of sensitive minds, of superior, refined organizations. They think themselves great sufferers, martyrs, because they imagine their husbands are not so refined, possessing such superior qualities that they can appreciate their own supposed virtue and refined organizations. These women have talked of this, and thought upon it, until they are nearly maniacs upon this subject. They imagine their worth is superior to other mortals, and it is not agreeable to their fine sensibilities to associate with common humanity. These women are making themselves fools; and their husbands are in danger of being drawn in to think that they possess a superior order of minds.?{PH011 35.1}[51]

From what the Lord has shown me, the women of this class have had their imaginations perverted by novel-reading, day-dreaming, and castle-building—living in an imaginary world. They do not bring their ideas down to the common, useful duties of life. They do not take up the life-burdens which lie in their path, and seek to make a happy, cheerful home for their husbands. They lean their whole weight upon them without so much as bearing their own burden. They expect others?to anticipate their wants, and do for them, while they are at liberty to find fault and to question as they please. These women have a love-sick sentimentalism, constantly thinking they are not appreciated; that their husbands do not give them all that attention they deserve. They imagine themselves martyrs.?{PH011 35.2}[52]

The truth of the matter is this, if they would show themselves useful, their value might be appreciated; but when they pursue a course to constantly draw upon others for sympathy and attention, while they feel under no obligation to give the same in return, passing along reserved, cold, and unapproachable, bearing no burden for others or feeling for their woes, there can be but little in their lives precious and valuable. These women have educated themselves to think and act as though it has been a great condescension in them to marry the men they have; and therefore that their fine organizations would never be fully appreciated. They have viewed things all wrong. They are unworthy of their husbands. They are a constant tax upon their care and patience, when at the same time, they might be helps, lifting the burdens of life with their husbands, instead of dreaming over unreal life found in novels and love romances. May the Lord pity the men who are bound to such useless?machines, fit only to be waited upon, to eat, dress, and breathe.?{PH011 36.1}[53]

These women who suppose they possess such sensitive, refined organizations make very useless wives and mothers. It is frequently the case that the affections will be withdrawn from their husbands, who are useful, practical men; and they will show much attention for other men, and will with their love-sick sentimentalism draw upon the sympathies of others, tell them their trials, their troubles, their aspirations to do some high and elevated work, and reveal the fact that their married life is a disappointment, a hindrance to their doing the work they have anticipated they might do.?{PH011 37.1}[54]

Oh! what wretchedness exists in families that might be happy. These women are a curse to themselves, and a curse to their husbands. In supposing themselves to be angels, they make themselves fools, and are nothing but heavy burdens. They leave the common duties of life, right in their path, which the Lord has left for them to do, and are restless and complaining, always looking for an easy, more exalted, and more agreeable work to do. Those supposing themselves to be angels are found human after all. They are fretful, peevish, dissatisfied, jealous of their husbands because the larger portion of their time is not spent in waiting upon them. They complain of being neglected when their husbands?are doing the very work they ought to do. Satan finds easy access to this class. They have no real love for any one but themselves. Yet Satan tells them that if such a one were their husband, they would be happy indeed. They are easy victims to the device of Satan, being readily led to dishonor their own husbands and to transgress the law of God.?{PH011 37.2}[55]

I would say to women of this description, You can make your own happiness or destroy it. You can make your position happy or unbearable. The course you pursue will create happiness or misery for yourself. Have these never thought that their husbands must tire of them in their uselessness, in their peevishness, in their fault-finding, in their passionate fits of weeping, while imagining their case so pitiful? Their irritable, peevish disposition is indeed weaning the affections of their husbands from them, and they drive them to seek for sympathy, and peace, and comfort elsewhere than at home. A poisonous atmosphere is in their dwelling, and home is anything but a place of rest, of peace, of happiness, to them. The husband is subject to Satan’s temptation, and his affections are placed on forbidden objects, and he is lured on to crime, and finally lost.?{PH011 38.1}[56]

Great is the work and mission of women, especially those who are wives and mothers. They can be a blessing to all around them.?They can have a powerful influence for good if they will let their light so shine that others may be led to glorify our Heavenly Father. Women may have a transforming influence if they will only consent to yield their way and their will to God, and let him control their mind, affections, and being. They can have an influence which will tend to refine and elevate those with whom they associate. But this class are generally unconscious of the power they possess. They exert an unconscious influence. It seems to work out naturally from a sanctified life, a renewed heart. It is the fruit that grows naturally upon the good tree of divine planting. Self is forgotten and immerged in the life of Christ. To be rich in good works comes as naturally as their breath. They live to do others good, and yet are ready to say, We are unprofitable servants.?{PH011 38.2}[57]

God has assigned woman her mission, and if she, in her humble way, to the best of her ability, makes a heaven of her home, faithfully and lovingly performing her home-duties to her husband and children, continually seeking to let a holy light shine from her useful, pure, and virtuous life to brighten all around her, she is doing the work left her of the Master, and will hear from his divine lips, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” These women who are doing what their hands find to?do with ready willingness, and with cheerfulness of spirit aiding their husbands to bear their burdens, and training their children for God, are missionaries in the highest sense. They are engaged in an important branch of the great work to be done on earth to prepare mortals for a higher life; and they will receive their reward. Children are to be trained for Heaven, and fitted to shine in the courts of the Lord’s kingdom. When parents have a true sense of the important, responsible work God has left for them to do, especially mothers, they will not be so much engaged in the business which concerns their neighbors, with which they have nothing to do. They will not engage in the fashionable gossip from house to house, dwelling upon the faults, wrongs and inconsistencies of their neighbors. They will feel so great a burden of care for their own children that they can find no time to take up a reproach against their neighbor. Gossipers and news-carriers are a terrible curse to neighborhoods and churches. Two-thirds of all the church trials arise from this source.?{PH011 39.1}[58]

God requires all to do the duties of today with faithfulness. This is much neglected by the larger share of professed Christians. Especially is present duty lost sight of by the class I have mentioned, who imagine that they are of a finer order of beings than their fellow-mortals around them. The fact of?their minds’ turning in this channel, is proof that they are of inferior order, narrow, conceited, and selfish. They feel high above the lowly and humble poor. Such, Jesus says he has called. They are forever trying to secure position, to gain applause, to obtain credit for doing a work that others cannot do, some great work. But it disturbs the fine grain of their refined organism to associate with the humble, the unfortunate. They mistake the reason altogether. The reason they shun any of these duties not so agreeable, is because of their supreme selfishness. Dear self is the center of all their actions and motives.?{PH011 40.1}[59]

I was pointed to the Majesty of Heaven. He whom angels worshiped, he who was rich in honor, splendor, and glory, came to the earth, and when he found himself in fashion as a man, he did not plead his refined nature as an excuse to hold himself aloof from the unfortunate. He was found in his work among the afflicted, the poor, distressed, and needy ones. Christ was the embodiment of refinement and purity. His was an exalted life and character, yet he was found in his labor, not among men of high-sounding titles, not among the most honorable of this world, but with the despised and needy. “I came,” says the divine Teacher, “to save that which was lost.” Yes, the Majesty of Heaven was ever found working to help those?who most needed help. May the example of Christ put to shame the excuses of that class who are so attracted to their poor self that they consider it beneath their refined taste and their high calling to help the most helpless. Such have taken a position higher than their Lord, and in the end will be astonished to find themselves lower than the lowliest of that class their refined, sensitive natures were shocked to mingle with and work for. True, it may not always be agreeable or pleasant to unite with the Master and be co-workers with him in helping the very class who stand most in need of help. But this is the work Christ humbled himself to do. Is the servant greater than his Lord? He has given the example, and enjoins upon us to copy it. It may be disagreeable, yet duty demands that just such a work be performed. There has been a serious lack in Battle Creek; a few of a certain class have run together, gossiped together, associated almost wholly together, and neglected their neighbors and society around them. They have felt no interest to become acquainted with the people around them, with the purpose of removing the prejudice from their minds and enlightening them in regard to the truth. How far have they let their light shine before men, that they seeing their good works may glorify our Father who art in Heaven? They have put their light under a?bushel, and hid it in their own houses. They have not felt that their neighbors and the society around them had claims upon them, and they have not feared that they would rise in the Judgment and condemn them for their neglect of showing them the way of salvation.?{PH011 41.1}[60]

I was shown that, with the exception of a few of the most congenial, they have held themselves aloof from all. Those of like faith may go to the place, but there is not a sense of individual responsibility to make these visitors at home. At the great heart of the work they expect to find warmth of reception in that degree according with the character of the work. Hundreds have called there with high hopes, only to be disappointed and chagrined, with their confidence shaken in Battle Creek. Many have stumbled to perdition over the neglect and decided coldness they have met in Battle Creek. I saw that God was displeased at the lack of hospitality and courteousness that characterized the people living there. There are many who would not begrudge the food these would eat, but they are unwilling to be discommoded, to be put to any inconvenience. The same ones would have a select few, and circle around these, to the neglect of others.?{PH011 43.1}[61]

Souls have stumbled over the love of fashion and the display of pride seen at Battle Creek, the lack of humility, simplicity and?true godliness. The blood of souls is upon the members of the church at Battle Creek. Many have gone to Battle Creek with ardent hopes, simple in faith and their service to God, and after remaining awhile, have returned home infidels. Some have felt neglected because they could not dress so well as others in the church, and, after a short tarry, have lost their simplicity. They became inoculated with the prevailing pride and the pest of fashion, and carry the influence they received at Battle Creek to their homes to let their darkness fall upon others. A poison has been circulated through the body, which has come from Battle Creek. Souls have languished right in their midst, and given up the truth, and there has been no one of sufficient strength and godliness to guide their straying feet, or strengthen their feeble faith.?{PH011 43.2}[62]

There are needed faithful and picked men at Battle Creek. Those who have not had an experience in bearing burdens, and do not wish to have that experience, should not, on any account, live there. Men are wanted who will watch for souls as they that must give an account. Fathers and mothers in Israel are wanted at this important post. Let the selfish and self-caring, the stingy, covetous souls find a location where their miserable traits of character will not be so conspicuous. The more isolated such ones are, the better for the cause of God.?{PH011 44.1}[63]

I appeal to the people of God, not only in Battle Creek, but wherever they may be found, Awake to your duty. Take it to heart that we are really living amid the perils of the last days. I hope the horrible, startling revelation in regard to N. Fuller will awaken you, fathers and mothers, to see the necessity of thorough work being done in your houses, among yourselves and your children, that not one of you may be so deluded by Satan as to regard sin as this poor, much-to-be-pitied man has done. Those who have participated with him in crime would never have been left to be deceived and ruined had they possessed a high sense of virtue and purity, and had they cherished a constant and lively horror of sin and iniquity. While living under and proclaiming the most solemn message ever borne to mortals, presenting the law of God as a test of character and as the seal of the living God, they are transgressing its holy precepts. The consciences of those who do this are terribly hardened. They have become seared by resisting the influences of the Spirit of God, until they can use sacred truth as a cloak to hide the deformity of their corrupted souls. This man has been terribly deluded by Satan. He has been serving vicious passions while professing to be consecrated to the work of God, ministering in sacred things. He has considered himself in health while there was no soundness?in him. He is a mass of corruption.?{PH011 45.1}[64]

I have felt deeply as I have seen the powerful influence animal passions have had in controlling men and women of no ordinary intelligence and ability. They are capable of engaging in a good work, of exerting a powerful influence, were they not enslaved by base passions. My confidence in humanity has been terribly shaken. I have been shown that persons of apparently good deportment, not taking unwarrantable liberties with the other sex, were guilty of practicing secret vice nearly every day of their lives. This terrible sin has not even been refrained from while most solemn meetings have been in session. They have listened to the most solemn, impressive discourses upon the Judgment, which seemed to bring them before the tribunal of God, causing them to fear and quake, yet an hour would hardly elapse before they have been engaged in their favorite, bewitching sin, polluting their own bodies. They were such slaves to this awful crime that they seemed devoid of power to control their passions. We have labored for some earnestly; we have entreated, we have wept and prayed over them, yet we have known that right amid all our earnest effort and distress the force of sinful habit has obtained the mastery. These sins would be committed. The consciences of some of the guilty, through severe attacks of sickness, or being powerfully?convicted, have been aroused, and have so scourged them, that it has led to confession of these things, with deep humiliation. Others are alike guilty. They have practiced this sin nearly their whole lifetime, and in their broken-down constitutions, and, with their sieve-like memories, are reaping the result of this pernicious habit, yet are too proud to confess. They are secretive, and have not shown compunctions of conscience for this great sin and wickedness. My confidence in the Christian experience of such is very small. They seem to be insensible to the influence of the Spirit of God. The sacred and common are alike to them. The common practice of a vice so degrading as the polluting of their own bodies has not led to bitter tears and heartfelt repentance. They feel that their sin is against themselves alone. Here they mistake. Are they diseased in body or mind, others are made to feel—others suffer. Mistakes are made. The memory is deficient. The imagination is at fault; and there is a deficiency everywhere which seriously affects those with whom they live, and who associate with them. These feel mortification and regret because these things are known by another.?{PH011 46.1}[65]

I have mentioned these cases to illustrate the power of this soul-and-body-destroying vice. The entire mind is given up to low passion. The moral and intellectual are over-borne by the baser powers. The body is?enervated; the brain is weakened. The material there deposited to nourish the system is squandered. The drain upon the system is great. The fine nerves of the brain, by being excited to unnatural action, become benumbed and in a measure paralyzed. The moral and intellectual are weakening, while the animal passions are strengthening, and being more largely developed by exercise. The appetite for unhealthful food clamors for indulgence. It is impossible to arouse the moral sensibilities of those persons who are addicted to the habit of self-abuse, to appreciate eternal things. You cannot lead such to delight in spiritual exercises. Impure thought seize and control the imagination, and fascinate the mind, and next follows an almost uncontrollable desire for the performance of impure actions. If the mind were educated to contemplate elevating subjects, the imagination trained to reflect upon pure and holy things, it would be fortified against this terrible, debasing, soul-and-body-destroying indulgence. It would, by training, become accustomed to linger upon the high, the heavenly, the pure, and the sacred, and could not be attracted to this base, corrupt, and vile, indulgence.?{PH011 47.1}[66]

What can we say of those who are living right in the blazing light of truth, yet daily practicing and following in a course of sin and crime. Forbidden, exciting pleasures have a charm for them, and hold and control?their entire being. Such take pleasure in unrighteousness and iniquity, and must perish outside of the city of God, with every abominable thing.?{PH011 48.1}[67]

What is the cause of this wonderful, marked indifference to the eternal interest. It is the indulgence of sin, while the light which condemns sin is shining upon them. Sin is reproved, yet they will not be corrected. They continue daily to practice their iniquity. God reproves, but they harden their hearts against the warnings. They do not face right about. I have written testimonies for individuals. I have stood upon my feet at Battle Creek, when burdened and nearly fainting, and presented the true condition of the people professing to keep the commandments of God. I have felt the power of God upon me in great measure, while speaking, warning, and entreating. Yet I know of but one or two who have been reproved that have faced right about. The rest pass on nearly as before. Especially has this been the case in the Office. But very little effort has been made to meet the mind of God by a thorough reformation, and setting things right by restitution.?{PH011 49.1}[68]

The frown of God has not been removed from the church in Battle Creek. Men have been reproved for various sins. Some have been tyrants in their families, yet they have been too proud, willful, and self-confident, to change their course of action. They have?so large an amount of self-esteem that they consider their judgment even as the judgment of God. They are in the greatest delusion in the very things where they consider themselves wise. Many have been reproved, but have not reformed. Such will not receive the light, and will be left to follow their own ways, and to imagine them correct, until their true conditions will be revealed to them when there is no more any sacrifice for sin. When our Advocate has ceased his pleadings for erring humanity, then their weakness and shame will be apparent to all.?{PH011 49.2}[69]

I have sought to arouse parents to their duty, yet they sleep on. Your children are practicing secret vice, and they deceive you. You have such implicit confidence in them, that you think them too good and innocent to be capable of secretly practicing iniquity. Parents fondle and pet their children, and indulge them in pride, but do not restrain them with firmness and decision. They are so much afraid of their willful, stubborn spirits, that they fear to come in contact with them; but the sin of negligence, which was marked against Eli, will be their sin. The exhortation of Peter is of the highest value to all who are striving for immortality. Those of like precious faith are addressed:?{PH011 50.1}[70]

“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the?righteousness of God and our Saviour Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”?{PH011 50.2}[71]

We are in a world where light and knowledge abound; yet many claiming to be of?like precious faith are willingly ignorant. Light is all around them; yet they do not appropriate it to themselves. Parents do not see the necessity of informing themselves, obtaining knowledge, and putting that knowledge to a practical use in their married life. If they followed out the exhortation of the apostle, and lived upon the plan of addition, they would not be unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many do not understand the work of sanctification. It is a progressive work. It is not attained to in an hour or a day, and then maintained without any special effort on their part. They seem to think they have attained to it when they have only learned the first lessons in addition.?{PH011 51.1}[72]

Many parents do not obtain the knowledge that they should in the married life. They are not guarded lest Satan take advantage of them, and control their minds and their lives. They do not see that God requires them to control their married lives from any excesses. But very few feel it to be a religious duty to govern their passions. They have united themselves in marriage to the object of their choice, and therefore reason that marriage sanctifies the indulgence of the baser passions. Even men and women professing godliness give loose rein to their lustful passions, and have no thought that God holds them accountable for the?expenditure of vital energy, which weakens their hold on life and enervates the entire system.?{PH011 52.1}[73]

The marriage covenant covers sins of the darkest hue. Men and women professing godliness debase their own bodies through the indulgence of the corrupt passions, which lowers them beneath the brute creation. They abuse the powers God has given them to be preserved in sanctification and honor. Health and life are sacrificed upon the altar of base passion. The higher, nobler powers are brought into subjection to the animal propensities. Those who thus sin are not acquainted with the result of their course. Could all see the amount of suffering they bring upon themselves by their own wrong and sinful indulgences, they would be alarmed. Some, at least, would shun the course of sin which brings such dreaded wages. A miserable existence is entailed upon so large a class that death to them would be preferable to life; and many do die prematurely, their lives sacrificed in the inglorious work of excessive indulgence of the animal passions. Because they are married, they think they commit no sin.?{PH011 53.1}[74]

Men and women, you will one day learn what is lust, and the result of its gratification. Passion may be found of just as base a quality in the marriage relation as outside of it. The apostle Paul exhorts husbands to love?their wives “even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.” It is not pure love which actuates a man to make his wife an instrument to administer to his lust. It is the animal passions which clamor for indulgence. How few men show their love in the manner specified by the apostle: “Even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might [not pollute it, but] sanctify and cleanse it,” “that it should be holy and without blemish.” This is the quality of love in the married relation which God recognizes as holy. Love is a pure and holy principle. Lustful passion will not admit of restraint, and will not be dictated or controlled by reason. It is blind to consequences. It will not reason from cause to effect. Many women are suffering from great debility, and with settled disease, brought upon them because the laws of their being were not regarded. Nature’s laws were trampled upon. The brain nerve-power is squandered by men and women because called into unnatural action to gratify base passions, and this hideous monster, base, low passion, assumes the delicate name of love.?{PH011 53.2}[75]

Many professed Christians passed before me, who seemed destitute of moral restraint. They were more animal than divine. They were, in fact, about all animal. Men of this?type degrade the wife they have promised to nourish and cherish. She is made by him an instrument to minister to the gratification of his low, lustful propensities. Very many women submit to become slaves to lustful passion. They do not possess their bodies in sanctification and honor. The wife does not retain the dignity and self-respect she possessed previous to marriage. This holy institution should have preserved and increased her womanly respect and holy dignity. Her chaste, dignified, godlike womanhood, has been consumed upon the altar of base passions. This has been sacrificed to please her husband. She soon loses respect for her husband, who does not regard the laws to which the brute creation yields obedience. The married life becomes a galling yoke; for love dies out, and, frequently, distrust, jealousy, and hate, take the place of love.?{PH011 54.1}[76]

No man can truly love his wife who will patiently submit to become his slave, and minister to his degraded passions. She loses, in her passive submission, the value she once possessed in his eyes. He sees her dragged down from everything elevating, to a low level; and soon he suspicions that she will, may be, as tamely submit to be degraded by another as by himself. He doubts her constancy and purity, tires of her, and seeks new objects which will arouse and intensify his hellish passions. The law of God is not regarded. These men are worse than brutes. They are demons in human form. The?elevating, ennobling principles of true, sanctified love they are unacquainted with.?{PH011 55.1}[77]

The wife becomes jealous of the husband. She suspects that he will just as readily pay his addresses to another as to her, if opportunity should offer. She sees that he is not controlled by conscience, nor the fear of God. All these sanctified barriers are broken down by lustful passions. All that is godlike in the husband is made the servant of low, brutish lust.?{PH011 56.1}[78]

The world is filled with men and women of this order; and neat, tasty, yea, expensive, houses contain a hell within. Imagine, if you can, what the offspring of such parents must be. Will not the children sink lower in the scale than their parents have done? The parents have given the stamp of character to their children. Children that are born of these parents inherit qualities of mind from them which are of a low and base order. Satan nourishes anything tending to corruption. The matter now to be settled is, shall the wife feel bound to yield implicitly to the demands of her husband when she sees that nothing but base passions control him, and when her reason and knowledge are convinced that she does it to the injury of her body, which God has enjoined upon her to possess in sanctification and honor, to preserve a living sacrifice to God??{PH011 56.2}[79]

It is not true, holy love which leads the?wife to gratify the animal propensities of her husband at the expense of health and life. If she possesses true love and wisdom, she will seek to divert the mind of her husband from the gratification of lustful passions, to high and spiritual themes, dwelling upon interesting spiritual subjects. It may be necessary to humbly and affectionately urge, even at the risk of his displeasure, that she cannot debase her body by yielding to sexual excess. She should, in a tender, kind manner, remind him that God has the first and highest claim upon her entire being, which claim she cannot disregard, for she will be held accountable in the great day of God. “What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.”?{PH011 56.3}[80]

Woman can do much if she will, through her judicious influence, by elevating her affections, and in sanctification and honor preserving her refined, womanly dignity. In thus doing, she can save her husband and herself, thus performing a double work, and fulfilling her high mission, sanctifying her husband by her influence. In this delicate, difficult matter to manage, much wisdom and patience are necessary, as well as moral courage?and fortitude. Strength and grace can be found in prayer. Sincere love is to be the ruling principle of the heart. Love to God and love to your husband alone can be the right ground of action.?{PH011 57.1}[81]

Let the woman decide that it is the husband’s prerogative to have full control of her body, and to mold her mind to suit his in every respect, and run in the same channel of his own, and she yields her individuality. Her identity is lost, submerged in her husband. She is a mere machine for his will to move and control, a creature of his will and pleasure. He thinks for her, decides for her, and acts for her. She dishonors God in this passive position. She has a responsibility before God which it is her duty to preserve.?{PH011 58.1}[82]

When the wife yields her body and mind to the control of her husband, being passive to his will in all things, sacrificing her conscience, her dignity, and even her identity, she loses the opportunity of exerting that mighty influence for good which she should possess, to elevate her husband. She could soften his stern nature, and her sanctifying influence could be exerted in a manner to refine, purify, and lead him to strive earnestly to govern his passions, and be more spiritually minded, that they might be partakers together of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. The power of influence can be great to?lead the mind to high and noble themes, above the low, sensual indulgences which the heart unrenewed by grace naturally seeks for. If the wife feels that she must, in order to please her husband, come down to his standard, when animal passions is the principal basis of his love, controlling his actions, she displeases God; for she fails to exert a sanctifying influence upon her husband. If she feels that she must submit to the animal passions of her husband without a word of remonstrance, she does not understand her duty to him, nor to her God. Sexual excess will effectually destroy a love for devotional exercises, will take from the brain the substance needed to nourish the system, and will most effectually exhaust the vitality. No woman should aid her husband in this work of self-destruction. She will not do it if she is enlightened, and truly loves her husband.?{PH011 58.2}[83]

The more animal passions are indulged and exercised, the stronger do they become, and the more violent will be their clamors for indulgence. Let God-fearing men and women awake to their duty. Many professing Christianity are suffering with paralysis of nerve and brain because of their intemperance in this direction. Rottenness is in the bones and marrow of many who are regarded as good men, who pray and weep, and who stand in high places, but whose polluted carcasses?will never pass the portals of the heavenly city.?{PH011 59.1}[84]

Oh! that I could make all understand their obligations to God to preserve the mental and physical organism in the best condition to render perfect service to God.?{PH011 60.1}[85]

Let the Christian wife refrain, both in word and act, from exciting the animal passions of her husband. Many have no strength at all to waste in this direction. They have already, from their youth up, weakened their brains, and sapped their constitutions, by the gratification of their animal passions. Self-denial and temperance should be the watch-word in married life; then, when children are born to parents, they will not be so liable to have the moral and intellectual organs weak, and the animal, strong. Vice in children is almost universal. It there not a cause? Who have given them the stamp of character? May the Lord open the eyes of all to see that they are standing in slippery places.?{PH011 60.2}[86]

From the picture that has been presented before me, of the corruption of men and women professing godliness, I have feared that I should lose confidence in humanity altogether. I have seen that a fearful stupor is upon nearly all. It is almost impossible to arouse the very ones who should be awakened, so as to have any just sense of the power Satan holds over minds. They are?not aware of the corruption teeming all around them. Satan has blinded their minds, and lulled them to carnal security. The failures in our efforts to bring minds up to understand the great dangers that beset souls, have sometimes led me to fear that I had exaggerated ideas of the depravity of the human heart. But when facts are brought to us of the sad deformity of one who has dared to minister in sacred things while corrupt at heart, and whose sin-stained hands have profaned the vessels of the Lord, I am sure I have not drawn the picture any too strong.?{PH011 60.3}[87]

I have been bearing a very strong testimony, both in writing and in speaking, hoping to awaken God’s people to understand that they had fallen upon perilous times. I have felt sick at heart at the indifference manifested by those who ought to be awake and guarded, and who should understand the workings of Satan. I have seen that Satan is leading the minds of even those who profess the truth to indulge in the terrible sin of fornication. The mind of a man or woman does not come down in a moment from purity and holiness to depravity, corruption, and crime. It takes time to transform the human to the divine, or to degrade those formed in the image of God, to brutes or to the satanic. By beholding, we become changed. Man, formed in the image of his Maker, can so educate his mind that sin which he once?loathed, will become pleasant to him. As he ceases to watch and pray, he ceases to guard the citadel, the heart, and engages in sin and crime. The mind is debased, and it is impossible to elevate it from corruption while it is being educated to enslave the moral and intellectual powers, and bring them in subjection to grosser passions. It is constant war against the carnal mind, aided by the refining influence of the grace of God, which will attract it upward, and habituate it to meditate upon pure and holy things.?{PH011 61.1}[88]

The body is not kept under by professed Sabbath-keepers. Some embrace the Sabbath who have ever possessed depraved minds; and when they embraced the truth, they did not feel the necessity of turning square about, and changing their whole course of action. Whereas they had been years following the inclinations of an unregenerated heart, and had been swayed by the corrupt passions of their carnal natures, which had defaced the image of God in them, and defiled everything they touched, their entire future life would be all too short, at the longest, to climb Peter’s ladder of Christian perfection, preparatory to their entering into the kingdom of God. There are not many who feel that in professing the truth they cannot be saved by the profession they make, unless they become sanctified through the truth in answer to the prayer of our divine Lord to?his Father: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”?{PH011 62.1}[89]

Men and women who profess to be disciples of Christ, keeping all the commandments of God, will have to feel in their daily lives the true spirit of agonizing to enter into the strait gate. The agonizing ones are the only ones who will urge their passage through the narrow way and strait gate that lead to life eternal, to fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. Those who merely seek to enter in will never be able. The entire Christian life of many will be spent in no greater effort than that of seeking, and their only reward will be an utter impossibility of their entering into that strait gate.?{PH011 63.1}[90]

I have been surprised to see how many families are blinded by Satan, and have no sense of his workings, his wiles, and deceptions, practiced in their very midst. Parents seem to be stupefied by the paralyzing influence of Satan, and yet think they are all right. I have been shown that Satan engages in the work of debasing the minds of those who unite in marriage, that he may stamp his own hateful image upon their children. Because they have entered into the marriage relation, he deceives them, and leads them to pervert the marriage institution, which is sacred. Many think that because of the marriage relation, they may permit themselves to be controlled by animal?passions. They are led on by Satan. He is well pleased with the low level their minds take; for he has much to gain in this direction. He knows that if he can excite the baser passions, and keep them in the ascendency, he has nothing to be troubled about in their Christian experience; for the moral and intellectual will be subordinate while the animal will predominate and keep in the ascendency, and by exercise these baser passions will be strengthened and the nobler qualities of the mind become weaker and weaker.?{PH011 63.2}[91]

He can mold their posterity much more readily than he could their parents; for he can so control the minds of the parents that through them he may give his own stamp of character to their children. Many children are born with the animal passions largely in the ascendency, while the moral faculties are but feebly developed. These children need the most careful culture, to bring out, strengthen, and develop, the moral and intellectual, and have these take the lead. But the workings of Satan are not perceived. His wiles are not understood. Children are not trained for God. Their moral and religious education is neglected. The animal passions are being constantly strengthened, while the moral faculties are becoming enfeebled.?{PH011 64.1}[92]

Children begin to practice self-pollution?even in their infancy; and as they increase in years, the lustful passions grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength. Their minds are not at rest. Girls desire the society of boys; and boys, that of the girls. Their deportment is not reserved and modest. They are bold and forward, taking indecent liberties. Their corrupt habits of self-abuse have debased their minds, and tainted their souls. Vile thoughts, novel-reading, vile books, and love-stories, excite their imagination, and just suit their depraved minds. They do not love work. They complain of fatigue when engaged in labor. Their backs ache. Their heads ache. Is there not sufficient cause? Are they fatigued because of their labor? No, no! Yet their parents indulge these children in their complaints, and release them from labor and responsibility. This is the very worst thing they can do for them. They are removing almost the only barrier to Satan’s having free access to their weakened minds. Useful labor would be a safeguard in some measure from his decided control of them.?{PH011 64.2}[93]

We have some knowledge of the manner of Satan’s workings, and how well he succeeds in it. In Battle Creek parents are asleep. From what has been shown me, Satan has paralyzed their minds. They are slow to suspect that their own children can be wrong and sinful.?{PH011 65.1}[94]

Some of these children profess to be Christians, and parents sleep on, feeling no danger while the minds and bodies of their children are becoming wrecked. Some parents do not even take care to keep their children with them when in the house of God. Young girls have attended meetings and taken their seat, it may be, with their parents, but more frequently back in the congregation. They have been in the habit of making an excuse to leave the house. Boys understand this, and go out before or after the exit of the girls, and then, as the meeting closes, they accompany these girls home. Parents are none the wiser for this. Again, excuses are made to walk, and boys and girls assemble in some out-of-the-way place, resort to the fair grounds, or some other secluded place, and there play, and have a regular, high time, with no experienced eye upon them to caution them. They imitate men and women of advanced age.?{PH011 66.1}[95]

This is a fast age, little boys and girls commence paying attentions to one another, when they should both be in the nursery, taking lessons in modesty of deportment. What does this common mixing up do? Does it increase chastity in the youth who thus gather together? No, indeed! it increases the first lustful passions in the youth, and they are crazed by the devil, and only give?themselves up to their vile practices after such meetings.?{PH011 66.2}[96]

Parents are asleep. They don’t know that Satan has planted his hellish banner right in their households. What, I was led to inquire, will become of the youth in this corrupt age? I say parents are asleep. The children are infatuated with a love-sick sentimentalism, and the truth has no power to correct the wrong. What can be done to stay the tide of evil? Parents can do much if they will. If a young girl just entering her teens is accosted with familiarity by a boy of her own age, or older, she should be taught to so resent this, that no such advances will ever be repeated. When a girl’s company is frequently sought for by boys or young men, something is wrong. That young girl needs a mother to show her her place, or to restrain her, and teach her what belongs to a girl of her age.?{PH011 67.1}[97]

The corrupting doctrine which has prevailed, that, as viewed from a health stand-point, the sexes must mingle together, has done its mischievous work. When parents and guardians manifest one tithe of the shrewdness, which Satan possesses, then can this associating of sexes be more harmless. As it is, Satan is most successful in his efforts to bewitch the minds of the youth; and the mingling of boys and girls only increases the evil twenty-fold. Let boys and girls be kept employed?in useful labor. If they are tired, they will have less inclination to corrupt their own bodies. There is nothing to be hoped for in the case of the young, unless there is an entire change in the minds of those older. Vice is stamped upon the features of boys and girls, and yet what is being done to stay the progress of this evil? Young boys and men are allowed and encouraged to take liberties by immodest advances of girls and young women. May God arouse fathers and mothers to work earnestly to change this terrible state of things, is my prayer.?{PH011 67.2}[98]

I have been looking over the testimonies given for the Sabbath-keeping people, especially those at B. C. I am astonished at the mercy of God and his care for his people in B. C., in giving them the many admonitions and warnings, pointing out their dangers, presenting before them the exalted position he would have them occupy. If they would keep themselves in his love, and separate from the world, he would make his especial blessings to rest upon them, and his light to shine around about them. Their influence for good might be felt in every part of the gospel field, in every branch of the work. If they failed to meet the mind of God, if they continued to have so little sense of the exalted character of the work as they had in the past, their influence and example would prove a terrible curse, they would harm, and only harm. The blood of precious souls would be found upon their garments.?{PH011 69.1}[99]

Testimonies of warning have been repeated. I inquire, Who have heeded them? Who have been zealous in repenting of their sins and idolatry, and been earnestly pressing forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus? Who have shown the inward work of God, leading to self-denial and humble self-sacrifice? Who that have been warned, have so separated themselves from the world, from its affections and lusts, that they have shown a daily?growth in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? Whom do we find among the active ones, that feel any burden for the church? Who do we see God especially using, working by them, and through them, to elevate the standard, and to bring the church up to it, that they may prove the Lord and see if he will not pour them out a blessing.?{PH011 69.2}[100]

I have waited anxiously and hoped that God would put his spirit upon some and use them as instruments of righteousness to awaken and set in order his church. But I have looked in vain. “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick.” Notwithstanding all the labor bestowed in years past up to the last June Conference, the church has been steadily and perceptibly retrograding. They have not advanced. They have been uniting more and more with the world in spirit and influence, until the line of demarkation between them and the world is scarcely discernible. They do not bear the image of the heavenly, the impress of the divine. I have about despaired as I have seen, year after year, a greater departure from that simplicity which God has shown me should characterize the life of his followers. There has been less and less interest in, and devotion to, the cause of God. I ask, Wherein have they regarded the warnings given? Wherein have they heeded the instructions they have received? They profess confidence in the testimonies.?Wherein have they sought to live according to the light given in them??{PH011 70.1}[101]

I have been looking over the testimonies borne, the warnings given those connected with the Review Office, who profess confidence in them. Who have carried out the instructions which they admit the Lord has given them? At the very time the most pointed testimonies were borne, the very wrongs reproved were entered into more fully. Satan seemed to stand at the helm and to have the guidance himself, and carried things to suit his own ideas. The church, in like manner, have not regarded the light given. The church have professed to believe the testimonies, but have not heeded them. Their own ways seem right in their own eyes. They have, some of them, rent their garments but the heart has not been rent. Rather than to break their hearts before God and in their confessions open their hearts and meet the point, they walk all around it, and do not touch the plague spot. They justify self, justify the course of wrong, and shield and build up themselves. They will not fall on the rock, fearing they will break if they do. This is precisely what the Lord designs shall be done with them. Then he can, with his holy hand (if they will permit him), build them up and mold them as clay is molded in the hands of the potter.?{PH011 71.1}[102]

I was shown, one year ago last June, the responsible and important position those?employed at the Office occupied. Brn. Smith, Aldrich, Walker, Amadon, and Gage, had the most to do in molding everything in connection with the Office, and in connection with the church. They could, if consecrated to God, glorify him in the Office and in the church. Their light could so shine that others by seeing their good works, would glorify our Father in heaven; or they could so conduct themselves as to encourage self-love, selfish interest, love of the world, and a relish for its exciting pleasures.?{PH011 71.2}[103]

I saw that great changes must be wrought in the hearts and lives of these men before God can work in them by his power, in the salvation of others. They must be renewed after the image of God in righteousness and true holiness. The love of the world, the love of self, and every ambition of life calculated to exalt self, will be changed by the grace of God, and employed in the special work of saving souls for whom Christ died. Humility will take the place of pride; and haughty self-esteem will be exchanged for meekness. Every power of the heart will be turned into disinterested love for all mankind. Satan, I saw, would arouse himself when they in earnest commence the work of reformation in themselves. He knows that these men, if consecrated to God, could prove the strength of his promises, and realize a power working with them that the adversary?shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. They would realize the life of God in the soul.?{PH011 72.1}[104]

In Battle Creek, especially, should the power of God be felt. Here is the great heart of the work. Every pulsation is felt all through the entire body. If the heart is sound, it would impart health and vigor. If the heart is unsound, if the heart itself is paralyzed, how can its motions be vigorous, and a healthful current be sent through the entire body—through every branch of the work? The spiritual respirations of the heart and lungs of the cause must be deep and full. The life of God must sustain the heart, and through it vitalize the body, until it comes to the full measure of the stature of Christ.?{PH011 73.1}[105]

I saw that none of these men had force of brain or muscle, so that they could do their duty in the Office as God required it to be done, and yet have a separate interest outside of the Office; that none of these should, while engaged in labor in the Office, introduce business in that Office of their own, not connected especially with the publication of the truth; that all merchandise should be abolished; and that when these men devoted that strength of brain and muscle which a devotion to the work would call forth from them, they would not have a reserve of strength to successfully carry forward any other enterprise. The Office has been made common by men taking up time in doing?business with those employed exclusively for the sacred work of God.?{PH011 73.2}[106]

I saw that it was impossible to serve God and mammon. The exalted character of the work has never been understood. The eye of the understanding has been closed. The love of the world, self-will and stubbornness, have hidden from them the sacred, holy character of the work—the high standard God calls them to come up to. Selfish interests are consulted. The love of the work, the deep interest in the work of God, have not existed.?{PH011 74.1}[107]

I have borne a plain testimony. I have felt a burden of the work, a burden of soul that I never expect to feel again for the church at Battle Creek. God has let his Spirit drop upon me right in their midst. I have exhorted the youth. My spirit was stirred within me as I saw by their course of action how little they understood of true Christian religion. Professing Christ, yet in their works denying him; given up to pride, vanity, love of pleasure, love of self, idolaters in the sight of God. The intercourse of some with the world was such as to justify the sinner in his unbelief. There was not seen in their lives the grace of the Spirit of God. They did not possess moral courage and spiritual energy. They lured on souls to death. Souls have gone down into the grave who might have had a fitness for Heaven, had all those who professed Christ?walked even as he walked. Professors of godliness have taken souls who were not as favorably situated as themselves to form a good religious character, and have, through their example and influence, linked their hands with the world, and by their course of action have said, The pleasures of the world are harmless; you can love God, and love self, and the world. You can profess Christ and yet live as the world live, love what the world love. Their example has said, You may lay aside your religious principles when not convenient to retain them.?{PH011 74.2}[108]

While I was talking in this manner, I fell in your midst under the influence of the Holy Spirit. God then showed me your condition. And who have made a thorough change after this? Who turned square about? I have yet to learn that there was any decided change with those in the Office, or in the church. Bro. Aldrich and Walker engaged deeper than ever in worldly speculation. I have seen an unwillingness to come to the light, I have seen that many in Battle Creek, both old and young, choose darkness rather than light. They will not deny self. Battle Creek is a very important post, and faithful sentinels are needed to guard it with unremitting vigilance. The two institutions, the Publishing Association and the Health Institute, are in their midst.?{PH011 75.1}[109]

In the fear of God I have given my testimony in regard to the health reform. It was?more difficult to make headway upon this subject in B. C. among the Sabbath-keeping people, than in any other place. We battled on, and what have we gained? Pride of dress, pride of heart, love of show, love to gratify the appetite, have led to a disregard of the light the Lord permitted to shine upon them. They would not come to the light. They did not desire the light. Any light which would show them that if they would enjoy health they must deny the taste, was not acceptable.?{PH011 75.2}[110]

I do not speak of these as a whole. A few have been true to their principles. Some acknowledged the light, and, for a time, walked in it, but they were not steadfast. Is it possible that Christ’s followers are unwilling to restrict their appetites to articles of food which are healthful? Some of those who have had the most light, those standing at the very head of the work, have not been true to the principles of health reform. As we have traveled we have seen men and women injuring their health by an improper diet. We have spoken to them kindly in regard to their duty, but we would be met: I thought you had decided you could not live without meat, butter, and cheese; for if I am rightly informed your people in B. C. eat flesh-meats. Your responsible men in the Office are not reformers. They eat meat, butter, cheese and rich pie and cake. Others will excuse their indulgence of appetite?by referring to B. C. Said one, On such a celebration, the Institute tables were not set with food recommended in the Reformer. There was a great variety of food which I have known themselves to condemn, and I have seen your most zealous church members, especially the females, looking over the table greedily for some article of food prepared richer than another. They seem to fear that they shall not obtain the most desirable position to obtain the very best dishes served up. We certainly saw their indulgence of appetite, which in us you condemn.?{PH011 76.1}[111]

Again, “Sr. White, if you knew one-half of the doings at Battle Creek, you would not blame us, for we really do not know what to think, or what course to pursue. We heard you ate meat, butter, and cheese. All these things you had condemned we heard were upon your table again.” I told them I had not swerved from my principles of health reform. Butter was not placed upon my table for my family, neither for visitors. Meat was not brought into my house or placed upon my table. “Well,” said my informer, “did you not know that on Thanksgiving many of the brethren were seen on that day walking to their homes carrying their turkeys.” At another place where I thought to introduce the subject of health reform and the necessity of a healthful diet upon their table, I was met with, “They are far below?us in health reform at B. C. There was a lot of old diseased sheep carried into market, slain from a flock that had, without doubt, the sheep-rot, and some of your best brethren lighted upon their carcasses as flies upon molasses. They could get these carcasses of sheep for a mere trifle, and they improved the chance.”?{PH011 77.1}[112]

One family in particular needed all the benefits they could receive by the reform in diet. Yet these very ones were completely backslidden. Meat and butter were used quite freely, spices were not entirely discarded. This family could have received great benefit from a nourishing, well-regulated diet. The head of the family needed a plain, nutritious diet. His habits were sedentary, and his blood moved sluggishly through the system. The benefit of healthful exercise he could not have like others, and, therefore, his food should be of a right quality and quantity. There had not been in this family the right management in regard to diet. There had been irregularity. There should have been a specified time for each meal, and the food should have been prepared free from grease in a simple form; but pains should have been taken to have it nutritious, healthful, and inviting. There has been in this family, as also in many families, a special parade made for visitors, many dishes prepared and frequently made too rich; so that those seated at the table?would be tempted to eat to excess. Then in the absence of company there was a great reaction, a falling off in the preparations brought on the table. The diet was spare, and lacked nourishment. It was considered not so much matter “just for ourselves.” The meals were frequently picked up, and the regular time for eating not regarded. Every member of the family was injured by such management. It is a sin for any of our sisters to make such preparations as mentioned, for visitors, and wrong their own families by a spare diet which will fail to nourish the system.?{PH011 78.1}[113]

The brother spoken of felt a lack in his system. He was not nourished. He thought meat would give him strength that he needed. Had he been suitably cared for, his table spread with food at the right time, of a nourishing quality, all the demands of nature would have been abundantly supplied. The butter and meat stimulate. These have injured the stomach and perverted the taste. The sensitive nerves of the brain have been benumbed, and the animal appetite strengthened at the expense of the moral and intellectual. Their higher powers, which should control, have been growing weaker; so that eternal things have not been discerned. Paralysis has benumbed the spiritual and devotional. Satan has triumphed to see how easily he can succeed in coming in through the appetite, and controlling men and women of intelligence,?calculated by the Creator to do a good and great work.?{PH011 79.1}[114]

The case referred to above is not an isolated one. If it were, I would not introduce it here. When Satan takes possession of the mind, how soon the light and instruction that the Lord has graciously given, fade away, and have no force! How many excuses are framed, how many necessities made, which have no existence, to bear them up in their course of wrong, in setting aside the light and trampling it under foot! I wish to speak with assurance, that the greatest objection to health reform is, this people do not live it out, and they will gravely say they cannot live the health reform and preserve their strength.?{PH011 80.1}[115]

We find in every such instance a good reason why they cannot live out the health reform. They do not live it out, and have never followed it strictly, therefore cannot be benefited by it. Some fall into the error, that because they leave meat they have no need to supply its place with the best of fruits and vegetables, prepared in their most natural state, free from grease and spices. If they will only skillfully arrange the bounties the Creator has surrounded them with, and with a clear conscience parents and children unitedly engage in the work, they would enjoy simple food, and would then be able to speak understandingly of health reform.?{PH011 80.2}[116]

Those who have not been converted to?health reform, that have never fully adopted it, are not judges of its benefits. Those who digress occasionally to gratify the taste in eating a fattened turkey, or of other flesh-meats, pervert their appetites, and are not the ones to judge of the benefits of the system of health reform. They are controlled by taste, not by principle.?{PH011 80.3}[117]

I have a well-set table on all occasions. I make no change for visitors, whether believers or unbelievers. I never intend to be surprised by an unreadiness to have set at my table from one to half a dozen extra who may chance to come in. I have enough simple, healthful food ready to satisfy hunger and nourish the system. If any want more than this they are at liberty to find it elsewhere. No butter or flesh-meats of any kind come on my table. Cake is seldom found on my table. I generally have an ample supply of fruits, good bread and vegetables. Our table is always well patronized, and all who partake of the food do well, and improve upon it. All sit down with no epicurean appetite, and eat with a relish the bounties supplied by our Creator.?{PH011 81.1}[118]

I have seen that the disregard of health reform has brought the church into darkness and under condemnation where it is almost impossible to arouse them to a sense of the exalted character of the work of God. At the very heart of the work, where the most thorough instruction has been given,?we find that we have the least influence, and the Health Institute has the fewest reliable ones to sustain the system. But they have chosen darkness rather than light. The gratification of appetite has overcome the moral and intellectual. Taste has been indulged at the expense of a clear conscience, a clear brain, and spiritual strength.?{PH011 81.2}[119]

A wonderful indifference has been manifested upon this important subject, by those right at the heart of the work. The lack of stability in regard to the principles of health reform, is a true index of their character and their spiritual strength. They are deficient in thoroughness in their Christian experience. Their conscience is not regarded. The basis or cause of every right action existing and operating in the renewed heart secures obedience without external or selfish motives. The Spirit of truth and a good conscience are sufficient to inspire and regulate the motives and conduct of those who learn of Christ and are like him. Those who have not strength of religious principles in themselves have been easily swayed, by the example of others, in a wrong direction. Those who have never learned their duty from God, and acquainted themselves with his purposes concerning them, are not reliable in times of severe conflict with the powers of darkness. The external and present appearances will sway them. Worldly men are governed by worldly principles. They can appreciate no?other. Christians should not be governed by the same principles worldly men are. They should not seek to strengthen themselves in the performance of duty by any other consideration than a love to obey every requirement of God as found in his word, and dictated by an enlightened conscience.?{PH011 82.1}[120]

In the renewed heart there will be a fixed principle to obey the will of God because there is a love for what is just, and good, and holy. There will not be a hesitating, a conferring with the taste, or studying of convenience, or moving in a certain course because others have done so. Every one should live for themselves. The minds of all who are renewed by grace will be an open medium, continually receiving light, grace, and truth, from above, and transmitting it to others. Their works are fruitful and have their fruit unto holiness, and the end is everlasting life.?{PH011 83.1}[121] In so important a place as B.C., there should be picked men to keep the fort, who have stood in responsible positions, and have walked with God and learned their duty of him. There are many who are without root. They will be swayed by unsanctified influences and be led from devotion and from God. It is natural to follow the inclinations of the carnal heart. B. C. is filled up with just such persons as these. All such will have abundant opportunity to manifest that they are not the children of God. There?are but few who have the genuine work of grace wrought in the heart, and who have obtained an experience for themselves. How few can God employ and use in his service!?{PH011 83.2}[122]

There are but few in B. C. who have an experimental knowledge of the sanctifying influence of the truths they profess. Their obedience and devotion has not been in accordance with their light and privileges. They have no real sense of the obligation resting upon them, to walk as children of the light, and not as children of darkness. If the light had been given Sodom and Gomorrah that has been given to the church at B. C., they would have repented of their sins in sackcloth and ashes, and would have escaped the signal wrath of God. It will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Judgment than for those in B. C. who have been privileged with the clear light, and who have had a vast amount of labor and have not profited by it. They have neglected the great salvation God in mercy was willing to bestow. They were so blinded by the devil, they verily thought they were rich and in the favor of God, when the True Witness declares them to be wretched, miserable, poor, and blind, and naked.?{PH011 84.1}[123]

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